Columbia  (MniDem'tp 

tntI)rCttpofJlrttijPDrk 


THE  LIBRARIES 


MEMOIR 


OF 


THE    REV.   DR.   BEDELL. 


^   J^  (^^^^^-^^j^^ 


EMOIR 


OF  TU£ 


REV.  GREGORY  TrBEDELL,  D.D 


Hi-CTOK  OF  ST.  AXUHEW  S  CHURCH,  PHIiAUELPHIA. 


BY   STEPHEN   H.  TYNG.  tyn:) 


SECOND    EDITION,    ENLARGED    AND    IMPROVED. 


PHILADELPHIA:  * 

HEiNRY   PERKINS,   CHESTNUT   STREET. 
BOSTON:  PERKINS  &  MARVIN. 

18  3  3. 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  tiie  year  1836,  by  Henry  Fkr- 
KiNS,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court,  of  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


WILLIAM  STATELY,  PBIJJTEU, 

No.  12  Fear  street. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

PREFACE  TO  FIHST  EDITION  _..-..         vii 

PKEFACE  TO   SECOND   EDITION  ------  ix 

CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH EARLY  LIFE- — EDDCATION ORIGINAL  COMPOSITION 

RELIGIOUS     PROFESSION PREPARATION     FOR     THE     MINIS- 

.        TRY ORDINATION SOUTHERN  TOUR  -  -  -  1 

CHAPTER  II. 

SETTLEMENT  IN  HUDSON COMPARISON  OF  SERMONS EF- 
FORTS IN  HIS  MINISTRY DEFICIENCIES MARRIAGE PROS- 
PECT    OF     REMOVING     TO     NEW-YORK DISAPPOINTMENT 

REMOVAL    TO     FAYETTEVILLE  -  -  -  -  -  33 

CHAPTER  III. 

REMOVAL  TO  FAYETTEVILLE CHARACTER  OF  HIS  MINISTRY 

PEACEFUL  SPIRIT INTERESTING  INSTANCE  OF  HIS    USEFUL- 
NESS  EXTEMPORANEOUS  PRAYER  AND  PRAYER-MEETINGS 

SPECIMEN  OF  PREACHING FAILING    HEALTH JOURNEY    TO 

THE  NORTH NECESSITY  FOR     REMOVAL FEELINGS   OF    THE 

PEOPLE REMOVAL  FROM  FAYETTEVILLE  ...  70 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ARRIVAL  IN  PHILADELPHIA EFFORTS  OF  REV.  B.   ALLEN IN- 
TIMACY BETWEEN  THEM DEATH  OF    MR.  A. MR.  BEDELl's 

FUNERAi  SERMON ANNIVERSARY  SERMON EARLY  EFFORTS 

IN  PHILADELPHIA SUCCESS  OF  HIS  MINISTRY OPENING  OF 

ST.  Andrew's  church -         -104 

1  * 


64836 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

HIS     CHARACTER     AND     POWER     AS  A  PREACHER SERMON  FOR 

THE  GREEKS INTERESTING    INCIDENTS  ILLUSTRATING  THE 

EFFECT  OF  HIS  PREACHING MANNER  AS  A  PREACHER.  -       125 

CHAPTER  VI. 

PASTORAL  CHARACTER DILIGENCE KINDNESS WATCHFUL- 
NESS OVER  TOUNG  CHRISTIANS INTERCOURSE  WITH  COM- 
MUNICANTS     ..-.----.      157 

CHAPTER  VII. 

PASTORAL  CHARACTER ATTENTION  TO    COMMUNICANTS THE 

EVILS  ATTENDING  A  COUNTRY    RESIDENCE PASTORAL  LET- 
TER   ON     THE     CHOLERA — PASTORAL     REPROOFS PASTORAL 

VISITS 


188 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

PASTORAL  CHARACTER PRATER  MEETINGS REVIVALS  OF  RE- 
LIGION  REGULARITY  IN  SERVICES        -     -     -     -   213 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SUNDAY    SCHOOLS BIBLE  CLASSES BENEVOLENT    EXERTIONS 

AGENCIES  FOR  AMERICAN  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  UNION AMERI- 
CAN   BIBLE     SOCIETY CANDIDATES     FOR    THE    MINISTRY 

BRISTOL  COLLEGE       --.-----       237 


CHAPTER  X. 

PRIVATE     CHARACTER EPISCOPAL     CONVENTIONS DOMESTIC 

RELATIONS MUSIC POETRY  .  .  _  -  - 

CHAPTER  XI. 

FAILING  HEALTH JOURNEYINGS LAST    JOURNEY SICKNESS 


284 


-DEATH 


324 


CHAPTER  XII. 

FUNERAL TESTIMONIALS  OF  RESPECT  FOR    HIS  CHARACTER 

REV.  MR.  snow's  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY      -  -  -  -      377 


PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 

The   Biography  and  Writings  of  a  Clergyman  who  has 
filled  so  large  a  measure  of  public  notice,  as  the  author  of 
the  present  volumes  of  Sermons,  may  be  expected  to  be  a 
most  interesting  and  valuable  offering  to  the  Church.     Such 
was  the  extent  of  his  popularity  and  fame,  that  few  were 
ignorant  of  him  ;  such  was  his   influence  as  a  minister  of 
Christ,  that  many  were  made  partakers  of  permanent  spiritual 
benefits  through  his  instrumentality  ;  and  such  the  variety 
and  number  of  his  written  compositions,  that  much  might 
have  been  expected  to  be  reached,  calculated  to  develope  his 
character,  and  to  bring  to  light  the  circumstances  of  his  life. 
In  this  expectation,  however,  there  will  be  some  inevitable 
disappointment.     His   known  unwillingness  to  hear  much 
said  of  himself,  led  to  the  destruction  of  all  such  notes  as 
may  generally  be  found    among  the  papers   of  a  departed 
minister  of  Christ,  opening  a  more   accurate  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  events  of  his  own  life.     His  letters,  though 
he  wrote  many,  have  not  generally  been  accessible  to  his 
biographer,  and  letters  received  by  himself  were  never  pre- 
served.    The  sources  of  information  which  have  been  laid 
open  for  the  preparation  of  his    memoir,  have,  therefore, 
been  few,  and  but  a  short  time  has  been  allowed  the  editor, 
amidst  his  own  pressing  pastoral  duties  and  cares,  to  finish 
the  preparation  of  the  whole.     The  present  is  the  best  of- 
fering which,  under  such  circumstances,  he  is  able  to  make. 
He  was  induced,  from  two  motives,  to  accede  to  the  repeated 


Vm  PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 

requests  of  the  family  and  friends  of  Dr.  Bedell,  that  he 
would  undertake  the  duty  which  he  has  here  attempted  to 
discharge.     The  first  was,  that  he  might  give  his  utmost 
aid  to  the  comfort  and  advantage  of  the  family  of  a  most  be- 
loved and  tried  friend,  for  whom  all  the  profits  of  the  work 
are  designed.     The  second  was,  that  he  might  exhibit  fairly 
to  the  Church,  the  principles  and  character  of  this  friend, 
and  to  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  an  illustration  of  his 
varied  practical  usefulness  and  success.     In  the  attainment 
of  the  first,  there  is  every  reason  for  hope  that  he  will  be 
gratified.     Whether  he  has  accomplished  the  second  to  the 
advantage  of  those  whose  benefit  was  designed,  they  must 
judge.     In  tracing  the  character  and  history  of  Dr.  Bedell, 
candour  and  truth  required  a  reference  to  facts,  the  recollec- 
tion of  which   will  necessarily  give  pain  to  some.     The 
editor  hopes  that  in  such  references  he  has  accomplished  the 
object  for  which  he  watchfully  laboured,  to  exhibit  simply 
the  actual  character  and  principles  of  the  subject  of  his  no- 
tice, without  impugning  the   motives   or  character  of  any 
from  whom  he  differed.     In  the  hope  that  the  result  of  his 
efforts  may  be  acceptable  to  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  to 
the   congregation  so  much  attached  to  his  departed  friend, 
and  to  the  Church  at  large,  he  cheerfully  commits  it  to  them, 
feeling  that  however  laborious  has  been  the  undertaking,  it 
has  been  a  most  delightful  privilege  to  be  engaged  in  such 
continued  and  intimate  contemplation  of  the  character  and 
ministry  of  one,  whose  uninterrupted  friendship  in  life,  was 
one  of  his  choicest  blessings,  and  whose  example  will  be  a 
light  in  his  path  while  earthly  being  is  preserved. 

S.  H.  T. 
Philadelphia,  April  13,  1835. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

Such  has  been  the  acceptance  of  the  short  Memoir  of  Dr. 
Bedell,  which  was  prefixed  to  his  Sermons,  and  so  rapid  and 
entire  the  sale  of  that  edition,  that  the  author  has  been  led  to 
yield  to  the  repeated  requests  forwarded  to  him  from  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  United  States,  to  prepare  it  as  a  separate  and 
independent  publication.  The  Memoir,  in  its  original  size, 
has  already  been  re-published  in  London,  in  a  separate  vo- 
lume, with  a  most  judicious  and  valuable  introduction  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Snow  of  that  city,  which  will  be  found  at  the 
close  of  the  present  book.  In  re-publishing  the  fruit  of  his 
labours  in  the  present  edition,  the  author  has  doubled  the 
work  in  its  size,  and  corrected  whatever  inaccuracies  were 
found  to  have  been  inadvertently  made  in  the  former  edition. 
He  hopes  the  present  offering  will  be  found  yet  more  wor- 
thy of  the  approbation  of  the  Church.  In  it  he  has  taken 
opportunity,  to  extend  much  more  minutely,  his  view  of  Dr. 
Bedell's  ministry  and  labours, — and  has  thus  found  occasion 
to  express  in  some  connexions,  his  own  opinions  upon  the 
subjects  which  have  been  presented.  Both  in  these  and  in 
every  other  part  of  the  book,  he  has  laboured  so  to  state  every 
thing  which  occurs,  as  best  to  follow  the  great  purpose  for 
which  his  whole  ministry  has  been  devoted,  to  seek  the  truth 
and  peace.  In  t^e  form  in  which  this  Memoir  is  now  presented, 
the  author  is  confident,  that  under  the  blessing  of  God,  it  will 
be  an  useful  companion  and  friend  to  many,  especially  to  the 
younger  clergy  of  the  Church.     They  will  here  find  what 


X  PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

will  be  now  conceded  by  all  to  be,  a  description  of  as  perfect 
a  pattern  of  the  gospel  ministry,  as  has  been  furnished  in 
our  age,  or  perhaps  in  any  other.  The  view  which  the 
author  was  always  accustomed  to  take  of  the  ministry  of  his 
friend  while  living,  he  was  most  happy  to  find  after  his 
death,  was  also  taken  by  others  in  whose  judgment,  the 
Church  is  accustomed  to  place  the  utmost  confidence.  The 
following  extract  from  the  journal  of  the  fifty-first  Conven- 
tion of  the  Diocese  of  Pennsylvania,  May,  1835,  will  show 
the  unanimous  opinion  of  that  body  as  entirely  accordant 
upon  this  point  with  his  own. 

"  The  following  preamble  and  resolution  was  offered  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng,  and  seconded  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Onderdonk. 

"  Whereas  the  divine  providence  of  Almighty  God,  has, 
since  the  adjournment  of  the  last  Convention,  removed  from 
the  scene  of  his  earthly  labours,  the  Rev.  Gregory  T.  Be- 
dell, D.  D.,  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Philadelphia; 
for  eleven  years  a  useful  member  of  this  Convention,  and  a 
highly  distinguished  clergyman  of  this  Church  ;  therefore 

^'Resolved,  That  this  Convention  record  their  high  sense 
of  the  personal  and  ministerial  character  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Bedell,  and  their  sense  of  thankfulness  for  the  usefulness 
and  success  of  his  labours,  as  a  minister  of  Christ." 

Such  will  be  now  the  universal  feeling  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  upon  this  subject,  and  the  name  of  Bedell  will  be 
permanently  enrolled  among  those  bright  examples,  whom 
God  has  been  pleased  to  give  as  the  decus  et  tutamen  of  the 
Church.  He  has  blessed  us  with  the  permission  to  live  in  an 
age  when,  amidst  surrounding  confusion  among  others,  perfect 


PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION.  Xi 

harmony  reigns  among  ourselves, — and  when  by  universal 
consent,  the  Church  in  which  we  minister,  is  rising  most  hap- 
pily and  prominently  as  a  guiding  star  of  peace  and  safety  for 
multitudes  of  souls.  Under  such  circumstances  the  author 
feels  great  delight  in  dedicating  this  offering  to  his  brethren, 
and  commending  its  subject  to  the  notice  of  all  whose  hearts 
are  turned  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  That  they 
may  all  thus  finish  their  testimony  and  work  for  Christ,  and 
enter  into  the  same  glorious  rest,  is  his  devout  prayer  to 
God,  through  the  riches  of  his  mercy  in  Jesus  Christ. 

S.  H.  T. 

Philadelphia,  March  8,  1836. 


MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER    I. 

BIRTH EARLY    LIFE EDTJCATIOTf— ORIGINAL     COMPOSITIOIf RELI- 
GIOUS   PROFESSION PREPARATI03T    FOR    THE    MINISTRY ORDIKA- 

TION SOUTHERN  TOUR. 

In   the  lives   of  men   who   have  been  remarkable   m  the 
world,  there  is  often  found  much  of  an  interesting  and  pre- 
dictive character,  even  in  the  incidents  of  their  earliest  youth. 
These  facts,  though  at  the  time  of  their  occurrence   they 
may  be  but  little  attended  to,  are  afterwards  remembered  in 
connexion  with  the  events  of  the  subsequent  life,  and  made 
the  subject  of  much  interesting  reflection.     They  are  calcu- 
lated to  bestow  increased  interest  upon  the  history  in  which 
they  are  contained,   and  to  secure  for  succeeding  circum- 
stances the  most  favourable  notice.     In  the  present  instance, 
however,  though  all  that  is  remembered  of  the  childhood 
and  youth  of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  is  quite  charac- 
teristic, and  deeply  interesting,  there  are  not  many  incidents 
to  be  recorded  of  his  early  days.     Indeed  the  whole  course 
of  his  life  may  be  considered  barren  of  incidents,  by  those 
who  measure  the  interest  of  biography  only  by  what  is 
wonderful  and  romantic  in  its  events — and  such  readers  will 
hardly  be  attracted  by  the  present  memoir.     But  to  those 
who  are  competent  to  estimate  true  excellence,  and  who  can 
appreciate  human  character  according  to  its  actual  utility  and 
worth,  there  will  be  presented  here,  a  bright  and  happy 
example,  possessing  from  opening  maturity  until  the  hour 
of  death,  very  much  of  all  that  can  ever  adorn  the  conduct 

A 


3  MEMOIROF 

of  man,  illustrating  the  power  and  beauty  of  Christian  prin- 
ciples, and  glorifying  the  grace  of  God,  which  thus  displayed 
its  own  excellency  in  an  earthen  vessel. 

Gregory  Townsend  Bedell  was  born  on  Staten  Island, 
in  the  harbour  of  New- York,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1793. 
His  father,  Israel  Bedell,  was  a  man  of  true  excellence  of 
character,  of  a  peaceful  temper  and  spirit,  and  much  beloved 
by  those  who  were  connected  with  him.  After  having  lived 
to  see  fourscore  years,  to  witness  the  full  eminence  and  use- 
fulness of  this  his  only  son,  and  to  receive  both  in  religious 
counsel  and  in  pecuniary  assistance,  many  happy  proofs  of 
his  filial  gratitude  and  love,  he  died  at  Elizabeth  town,  in  New- 
Jersey,  on  the  30th  of  August,  in  the  year  1830,  in  the 
comfort  and  confidence  of  a  gospel  hope,  and  leaving  behind 
him  a  character  unblemished  and  unreproached.  His  mother 
was  a  sister  of  the  Right  Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore,  D.  D. 
Bishop  of  Virginia.  She  was  remarkable  both  for  her 
mental  accomplishments  and  for  her  external  beauty ;  adorned 
with  a  most  amiable  disposition ;  and  kind  and  benevolent  to 
the  poor.  She  was  early  admitted  as  a  communicant  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  honoured  the  doctrine  of 
her  Saviour  by  a  consistent  walk  of  faith  and  piety.  She 
was  married  late  in  life,  and  lived  only  until  her  son  was 
nine  years  old. 

It  is  said  to  have  been  the  uniform  and  ardent  desire  of 
Mrs.  Moore,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Bedell,  that  all  her  sons 
should  devote  themselves  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel ;  a 
desire  which  was  remarkably  gratified  by  the  gracious  pro- 
vidence of  God,  in  raising  up  from  her  sons  and  grandsons, 
not  less  than^^^e  faithful  and  valuable  preachers  of  the  truth ; 
three^  of  whom  still  survive  to  labour  in  their  important  vo- 
cation. 

*  A.  D.  1836 — Bishop  Moore  of  Virginia,  the  Rev.  David  Moore  of 
Staten  Island,  and  the  Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore  of  Elizabethtown,  New* 
Jersey. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  O 

Gregory  T.  Bedell  was  the  only  son  of  his  parents.  His 
father  had  three  daughters,  the  offspring  of  a  former  mar- 
riage, who  were  in  a  most  eminent  degree,  affectionate  and 
useful  sisters  to  him,  and  were  made,  in  the  hands  of  God,  the 
main  instruments  in  educating  him  for  the  work  in  which 
his  life  was  so  usefully  employed.  They  were  ever  to  him 
also  objects  of  the  fondest  and  most  unshaken  attachment, 
and  were  permitted  to  receive  from  him  the  most  unequivo- 
cal proofs  of  his  affectionate  gratitude.  Two  of  them  have 
survived  to  lament  his  early  departure  from  the  earth. 

Though  in  many  instances,  we  are  able  to  trace  in  child- 
hood the  germs  of  the  future  character  of  the  man,  it  is  but 
rarely  the  fact,  perhaps,  that  the  brightest  and  most  valuable 
traits  in  the  mature  mind  and  heart  are  very  early  devel- 
oped. In  the  instance  before  us,  however,  we  find  remark- 
able evidences  in  his  earliest  life,  of  the  lovely  characteristics 
which  were  so  strikingly  displayed  in  his  subsequent 
career  of  excellence.  He  is  remembered  to  have  been  from 
his  infancy,  a  gentle  and  interesting  child,  making  himself 
the  object  of  universal  favour  and  affection  in  the  family 
circle.  His  disposition  was  so  amiable  and  equal,  that  he 
was  scarcely  ever  seen  to  be  excited  by  an  angry  passion. 
There  was  a  sweetness  in  his  voice,  and  a  softness  and  deli- 
cacy in  his  manners,  which  attracted  to  him  the  love  of  all. 

His  talent  for  music,  which  afterwards  became  so  remark- 
able, and  by  which  he  might  have  become  widely  known, 
had  he  not  excelled  so  much  more  in  other  more  important 
things,  developed  itself  also,  very  early  in  his  life.  When 
but  two  years  old,  he  could  sing  several  tunes  with  accuracy  ; 
and  at  this  infantile  period,  when  taken  to  witness  a  military 
parade,  his  success  in  following  the  time  of  the  martial  music 
with  a  little  drum  which  was  slung  upon  his  neck,  arrested  the 
notice  of  the  bystanders  with  astonishment.  From  his  child- 
hood, his  constitution  was  delicate,  and  his  nervous  system 
painfully  susceptible.     His  timidity  and  diffidence  were  so 


4  MEMOIROF 

great,  that  for  two  years  after  the  proper  age  for  his  instruc- 
tion in  school  had  arrived,  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  go, 
unless  attended  by  his  elder  sister.  He  was  thus  easily  led 
to  seek  for  his  amusements  at  home,  and  to  avoid  the  society 
of  other  children,  whose  example  might  be  calculated  to  injure 
the  moral  influence  under  which  his  parents  desired  him  to 
be  educated. 

These  little  characteristics  of  his  childhood  must  be  inter- 
esting to  those  who  have  witnessed  them  on  a  larger  scale 
in  the  operation  of  his  succeeding  life.  They  are  less  so, 
however,  than  some  others  which  at  this  period  were  equally 
remarkable.  He  exhibited  in  his  earliest  years,  the  evidence 
of  that  benevolence  and  liberality,  which  under  the  guidance 
of  divine  grace,  were  so  prominent  and  useful  in  his  mature 
character,  and  which  literally  scattered  through  his  whole 
life  for  the  good  of  others,  his  time,  and  strength,  and  money, 
as  fast  as  he  was  able  to  gather  them.  Before  he  could 
speak  with  plainness,  when  the  poor  presented  themselves  at 
the  door  of  his  father's  house,  he  would  run  to  them  with  his 
little  hands  filled  with  articles  of  food,  and,  unsolicited,  press 
upon  them  its  acceptance.  So  eager  was  this  desire,  that 
lie  could  not  be  pacified  unless  he  were  supplied  from  the 
house,  with  the  food  which  he  sought,  and  unless  his  offer- 
ing was  received  by  those  to  whom  it  was  made. 

His  forgiveness  of  spirit  was  as  remarkable  as  his  libe- 
rality. The  same  unwillingness  to  repeat  the  ill  that  he 
knew  or  heard  of  others,  which  distinguished  him  at  all 
times  as  a  man,  were  exhibited  in  him  also  as  a  child.  This 
temper  was  beautifully  displayed  on  one  occasion,  Avhich  is 
remembered  by  his  family,  when  he  was  very  young.  One 
of  his  companions,  in  the  hastiness  of  ungoverned  anger  at 
some  small  offence  which  he  had  received  from  him,  ran 
into  a  blacksmith's  shop,  and  seized  a  shovel  of  hot  coals, 
which  he  threw  down  the  back  of  this  little  child  in  the 
spirit  of  revenge.      His   dress  was  low  in  the   neck,  and 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  O 

the  fire  easily  fell  beneath  it  upon  his  flesh,  and  having  to 
run  a  considerable  distance  to  his  home,  his  back  was  exceed- 
ingly burned,  and  many  months  passed  before  it  was  entirely 
healed.  Yet  when  his  father  and  friends  made  aiTange- 
ments  to  punish  the  boy  who  had  so  cruelly  injured  him,  he 
entreated  with  earnestness  that  he  might  be  forgiven ;  and 
his  friends  could  satisfy  his  perseverance  only  by  a  reluctant 
consent.  His  strict  adherence  to  truth,  under  all  circum- 
stances, became  also  a  general  subject  of  remark  at  home 
and  at  school,  and  preserved  him  through  many  difficulties 
which  he  was  obliged  to  encounter. 

In  all  these  traits  of  character,  he  stands  forth  as  a  beauti- 
ful example  of  excellence  in  childhood,  well  worthy  the  con- 
sideration both  of  parents  and  children.  None  can  fail  to  see 
in  this  how  important  it  is,  to  foster  and  encourage  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  child,  every  disposition  and  habit,  which  tends  to  the 
attainment  of  meekness  and  gentleness  of  spirit.  "  Whatsoever 
things  are  excellent"  have  to  contend  with  so  much  pride  and 
hardness  of  heart  in  fallen  man,  that  every  parental  effort  to 
implant  and  cultivate  them,  is  sometimes  without  success. 
But  in  most  instances  which  come  under  our  observation, 
there  is  far  too  little  attention  given  on  the  part  of  parents,  to  that 
cultivation  of  the  affections  and  the  heart,  in  the  want  of 
which,  so  much  unhappiness  is  produced  for  man.  Let  little 
children  look  at  the  conduct  of  this  little  boy,  who  afterward 
became  so  distinguished  as  "  a  man  of  God,"  and  see  how 
much  his  happiness  as  a  child,  and  his  usefulness  as  a  man, 
were  promoted  by  his  tenderness  and  gentleness  of  spirit  and 
manners,  while  he  was  yet  very  young.  The  Spirit  of  God 
thus  early  guided  him  in  the  attainment  and  exhibition  of  such 
a  character,  as  in  its  ultimate  fruits  highly  adorned  the  Gospel 
of  which  he  became  a  minister.  The  only  son  of  a  mother 
adapted  in  every  respect,  both  in  power  of  intellect  and  piety 
of  heart,  to  direct  his  youthful  mind  into  paths  of  peace  and 

excellence,  he  had  certainly  great  advantages  for  the  early 
a2 


6  MEMOIROF 

formation  of  these  valuable  principles  of  character.  And 
though,  in  his  subsequent  youth,  he  became  comparatively 
thoughtless,  never  immoral ;  when  we  connect  together  his 
early  sweetness  of  mind  and  temper,  with  his  final  course  of 
usefulness  to  men,  we  cannot  but  feel  the  conviction,  that  the 
Lord  was  early  sowing  the  seeds  of  spiritual  life  in  his  heart. 
We  cannot  indeed  say  distinctly  how  much  he  was  indebted 
for  his  interesting  character  to  this  excellent  mother,  who 
was  so  soon  removed  from  him,  nor  feel  authorized  ac- 
tually to  add  his  name  to  that  long  list  which  stand  in 
the  history  of  the  Church,  as  witnesses  to  the  worth 
and  influence  of  maternal  piety.  But  we  ought  not  to 
notice  the  remarkable  connexion  between  his  early  and  his 
later  life,  under  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed, 
without  gathering  the  encouragement  to  fidelity  in  duty  which 
they  may  gain  from  it,  to  whom  God  has  been  pleased  to 
give,  both  children  to  be  guided  to  himself,  and  a  real  desire 
that  they  may  become  his  children  in  eternal  glory.  A  mo- 
ther's instructions  in  the  things  of  the  Lord,  and  a  mother's 
prayers  for  the  spiritual  blessing  of  the  Lord,  form  the  most 
valuable  privilege  and  treasure  which  can  be  bestowed  upon 
a  child.     "^  The  promise  is  to  us,  and  to  our  children." 

How  desirable  is  it  that  Christian  parents  should  realize 
this  important  truth  ;  and  act  always  in  connexion  with  their 
children  in  reference  to  their  whole  being,  their  eternal  state ! 
How  much  misery  and  guilt  might  thus  be  spared  to  the 
v/orld  !  How  much  honour  might  be  brought  to  God  !  How 
much  happiness  might  be  conferred  upon  mankind ! 

In  the  year  1802,  this  valued  mother  was  taken  to  her 
rest,  leaving  an  animating  example  of  piety  to  bless  her  only 
son,  with  whom  she  is  now  rejoicing  in  "  a  city  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens."  He  was  left  to  the 
charge  of  his  elder  sisters,  of  whom  it  is  not  too  much  to  say, 
that  in  tenderness,  affection,  and  usefulness,  they  filled  up  to 
him  a  mother's  place.     Not  long  after  his  mother's  depar- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL. 


ture,  his  father  failed  in  business  in  the  city  of  New-York 
where  he  then  resided,  and  the  family  was  in  consequence 
reduced  to  very  narrow  circumstances  in  life.  This 
unexpected  change  in  their  condition  gave  them  peculiar  dis- 
tress on  account  of  this  much-loved  child.  They  had  nursed 
and  cherished  him  with  united  affection  ;  they  had  watched 
over  the  talents  which  he  displayed,  and  the  promise  which 
he  gave  of  future  usefulness,  with  the  deepest  interest ;  and 
it  was  to  them,  a  subject  of  particular  anxiety,  that  he  should 
be  properly  educated  for  ultimate  usefulness  in  the  world. 
The  hope  of  accomplishing  this  favourite  purpose,  appeared 
for  the  present  to  be  frustrated.  But  that  God  who  had  ap- 
pointed for  him  his  future  work,  was  leading  him  to  the  at- 
tainment of  a  preparation  for  it,  in  ways  that  he  knew  not ; 
and  it  is  truly  instructive  to  see,  how  in  all  his  course  of  life, 
the  same  hand  was  secretly,  but  surely  directing  him,  to  his 
final  point  of  labour  and  usefulness,  "  guiding  him  by  his 
counsel,  that  he  might  afterward  receive  him  to  glory." 

God  directed  the  heart  of  one,  who  had  but  little  to  spare 
of  the  goods  of  this  world,  to  minister  of  her  small  substance 
to  his  present  necessities.  An  aunt  of  his  mother,  a  maiden 
lady,  who  was  particularly  attached  to  her,  requested  that 
he  might  be  sent,  at  her  expense,  to  the  Episcopal  academy 
at  Cheshire,  in  Connecticut.  The  object  in  this  choice  was 
not  only  the  benefit  of  an  education  in  that  valuable  school, 
then  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  but  also  to 
separate  him  from  the  temptations  so  incident  to  the  circum- 
stances of  a  popular  boy  in  a  large  city.  At  Cheshire  he 
became  an  universal  favourite,  and  his  father  received  great 
delight  from  the  accounts  which  were  given  him  of  his 
correct  deportment  and  improvement  in  study.  Even 
at  this  period  of  his  life,  although  there  is  no  spe- 
cial evidence  of  a  direction  of  his  own  mind  to  the  sub- 
ject, his  name  seems  to  have  become  connected  with  the 
ministry    of  the  gospel,    and   Dr.    Smith   used    to   say  of 


8  MEMOIROF 

him  in  reference  to  his  excellence  as  a  scholar,  and  his 
purity  of  character  and  conduct,  that  he  would  be  the  "  Bishop 
Bedell"  of  America,  in  allusion  to  the  celebrated  Bishop 
Bedell  of  Ireland,*  a  man  as  remarkable  for  his  personal 
excellence  of  character,  as  he  was  distinguished  in  his  eccle- 
siastical station.     The  points  of  resemblance  in  his  charac- 

*  The  following  account  of  this  distinguished  man,  is  taken  from 
Lcmpriere's'Biographical  Dictionary : 

"In  this  high  station,  (Bishop  of  Kilmore  and  Ardagh,)  Bedell  be- 
haved with  that  strong  sense  of  propriety  which  his  private  manners 
so  much  promised.  He  exhorted  his  clergy  to  exemplary  conduct  and 
residence ;  and  to  show  them  his  own  moderation,  he  resigned  the 
bishopric  of  Ardagh.  His  ordinations  were  public  and  solemn.  Ex- 
ample was  made  to  go  hand  in  hand  with  profession  in  the  great  busi- 
ness of  religion,  and  in  a  synod  of  his  clergy  which  he  convened  for 
reformation,  some  canons  were  enacted,  excellent  and  conciliatory, 
A  strong  advocate  for  the  Church,  he  always  abhorred  the  persecu- 
tion of  the  papists,  and  supported  the  justice  and  rights  of  his  cause, 
by  the  arms  of  meek  persuasion,  not  of  virulent  compulsion.  The 
liturgy,  as  well  as  the  Bible,  was  translated  into  Irish,  and  every  me- 
thod pursued  which  might  inform  and  enlighten  the  minds  of  a  rough 
and  uncivilized  peasantry.  So  much  exemplary  meekness  did  not  go 
unapplauded.  When  the  country  was  torn  by  rebellion  in  1641,  the 
Bishop's  palace  was  the  only  habitation  in  the  county  of  Cavan  that 
remained  unviolated.  Malice,  however,  prevailed  ;  the  rebels,  who  de- 
clared that  the  prelate  should  be  the  last  Englishman  driven  from  the 
country,  demanded  the  expulsion  of  the  unfortunate  men  who  had 
fled  to  his  roof  for  refuge,  and  when  he  continued  firm  to  his  refusal, 
he  and  his  family  were  seized  and  sent  prisoners  to  the  Castle  of 
Cloughboughter.  The  horrors  of  confinement,  and  more  particularly 
the  misfortunes  of  his  countrj^,  however,  broke  his  heart ;  he  expired 
on  the  7th  of  February,  1641,  in  the  house  of  Dennis  Sheridan,  a 
Protestant,  to  whose  care  he  had  been  intrusted.  His  memory 
received  unusual  honours  from  the  rebels,  who  in  a  large  body  accom- 
panied his  remains,  and  fired  over  his  grave  in  the  church-yard  of 
Kilmore,  with  all  the  homage  due  to  a  worthy  man,  a  pious  Christian, 
and  an  exemplary  prelate." 


REV.     DR. BEDELL.  W 

ter  to  this  illustrious  man  in  subsequent  life,  although  the 
providence  of  God  never  exalted  him  to  a  similar  station  in 
the  Church,  were  not  a  little  remarkable.  The  same  meek- 
ness, and  gentleness,  and  moderation — the  same  kindness  to 
others,  and  zeal  for  God,  shone  with  a  bright  and  holy  lustre 
in  them  both. 

While  Bedell  was  at  Cheshire,  an  incident  occurred  which 
afforded  a  beautiful  illustration  of  the  kindness  of  his  temper. 
An  anonymous  letter  was  received  by  his  father,  accusing 
him  of  a  very  gross  crime.  His  father,  confident  in  the 
innocence  of  his  son,  sent  the  letter  to  Dr.  Smith,  by  whom 
it  was  laid  before  the  trustees  of  the  academy.  Upon  an 
investigation  of  the  case,  the  charge  was  not  only  proved  to 
be  false,  but  to  have  originated  with  one  of  the  scholars,  who, 
in  a  spirit  of  anger,  for  an  affront  which  he  had  received, 
selected  this  method  of  revenge,  and  addressed  the  letter  to 
the  father  of  Bedell.  The  trustees  considered  the  offence 
of  such  magnitude,  that  they  expelled  the  offender  from  the 
academy.  Bedell,  though  so  much  injured  by  him,  pleaded 
earnestly  that  he  might  be  forgiven,  and  permitted  to  remain. 
He  desired  to  have  his  own  character  cleared  from  the  charge 
of  guilt,  but  had  no  wish  that  the  one  who  had  injured  him 
should  be  punished.  How  valuable  is  the  example  of  such 
kindness,  to  others  who  may  succeed  him !  If,  in  mature 
life,  they  would  follow  in  his  path  of  excellence,  let  them 
learn,  with  him,  to  be  gentle,  affectionate,  and  forbearing  in 
youth.  ^ 

Bedell  remained  about  two  years  at  Cheshire.  Then  the 
means  upon  which  he  had  depended  for  support  again  failed, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  return  home.  On  his  return,  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  Dr.  Smith  to  his  father,  which  has  been 
accidentally  preserved,  accompanied  him  : — 

"  Cheshire,  April  3,  1805. 
"  Sir, — Your  son  will  hand  you  this.     I  have  thought  it 


10  MEMOIROF 

advisable  to  send  him  home  one  Aveek  before  the  end  of  the 
session,  as  there  is  a  disorder  prevalent  here,  to  which  I  sus- 
pect he  is  inclinable,  from  his  tendency  to  have  colds  and  a 
sore  throat.  For  particulars,  I  refer  you  to  himself.  Towns- 
end  has  given  me  entire  satisfaction,  and  I  scruple  not  to 
say,  that  he  bids  fair  to  be  a  first  rate  scholar.  Nor  is  his 
disposition  less  interesting  to  me  than  his  capacity.  I  can- 
not refrain  giving  merit  and  good  conduct  this  testimony  of 
approbation,  and  more  especially  so,  as  we  have  had  some 
students,  who  have  merited  our  highest  censure. 

"  I  am,  most  respectfully, 

William  Smith." 

After  his  return  from  Cheshire,  all  his  hopes  of  obtain- 
ing a  liberal  education  seemed,  for  a  time,  to  be  frus- 
trated. But  again  the  Lord,  who  was  guiding  him  to  future 
usefulness  by  paths  that  he  knew  not,  opened  his  path  be- 
fore him  in  a  method  entirely  unlooked  for.  His  sisters, 
with  whom  he  had  been  an  object  of  intense  affection  from 
his  birth,  resolved  to  devote  the  whole  of  their  little  sub- 
stance, which  had  been  saved  amidst  their  father's  misfor- 
tunes in  business,  to  the  education  of  this  favourite  boy.  It 
proved  to  be  a  sum  just  sufficient  to  meet  the  expenses  of 
his  collegiate  education,  and  though  it  required  the  sacrifice 
of  all  they  possessed,  to  meet  the  demand,  they  have  always 
felt  and  expressed  the  highest  satisfaction  in  the  full  recom- 
pense which  they  subsequently  received  in  his  character, 
for  the  efforts  which  they  thus  made,  to  prepare  him  for 
ultimate  usefulness  to  mankind. 

In  1807  he  entered  Columbia  college,  in  the  city  of  New- 
York.  Soon  after,  however,  his  feeble  constitution  seemed 
to  render  him  quite  incapable  for  the  prosecution  of  his  ne- 
cessary college  studies.  His  confinement  became  very  op- 
pressive to  him ;  and  overcome  by  his  own  weakness,  and 
despairing  of  his  ability  to  gain  the  education  which  he  de- 


RE  V.    DR.    BEDEL  L  .  11 

sired,  he  begged  permission  to  give  up  his  classical  education, 
and  to  turn  his  attention  to  some  other  more  active  pursuit. 
His  indulgent  father  was  ready  to  yield  to  his  wish ;  but  his 
sisters,  inflexible  in  their  purpose,  induced  him,  by  perse- 
vering persuasion  and  argument,  to  remain  at  his  studies, 
and  to  finish  his  collegiate  course.  They  were  thus  made 
the  honoured  instruments  of  keeping  him  in  his  preparation 
for  the  work  which  was  given  him  to  do ;  and  when  this 
circumstance  was  alluded  to  in  his  after  life,  he  never  failed 
to  express  his  sincere  gratitude  for  their  determination. 
During  the  whole  course  of  his  college  studies,  however, 
his  infirm  health  placed  a  very  serious  obstacle  in  his  way. 
His  strength  failed  under  the  pressure  of  sedentary  habits, 
and  in  a  continued  application  to  study.  But  this  very 
weakness  and  difficulty  was  remarkably  overruled  for  his  be- 
nefit, by  leading  him  to  the  acquisition,  at  this  period  of 
life,  of  an  uncommon  power  of  mental  abstraction,  the  exer- 
cise of  which  characterized  his  habits  of  study,  through  the 
whole  of  his  succeeding  life.  This  habit,  with  the  aid  of  a 
very  retentive  memory,  and  a  systematic  arrangement  in  the 
discharge  of  all  his  personal  duties,  enabled  him  to  accom- 
plish great  results,  with  comparatively  little  effort.  To  this 
habit  of  study  he  refers  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter 
of  a  later  date  than  our  present  narrative,  in  reply  to  a  friend, 
who  had  supposed  him  not  sufficiently  attentive  and  indus- 
trious in  his  studies. 

"March  10,  1816. 

n  *  *  *  Your  first  request  is,  that  I  would  devote 
more  time  to  my  studies.  INow  the  fact  is,  that  I  study 
much  more  than  you  may  imagine  ;  not  so  much  in  time  as  in 
degree.  My  mind  has  become,  by  habit,  accustomed  to  the 
most  intense  application  while  it  is  employed,  and  I  can 
study  more  in  one  hour,  than  a  person,  whose  mind  has  not 
been  thus  disciplined,  can  study  in  three.     While  in  study,  I 


\2  MEMOIROF 

can  totally  abstract  myself  from  every  concern,  and  upon 
this  abstraction,  depends  almost  entirely  the  impression  that 
is  left  on  the  mind.  This  is  philosophically  explanatory 
why  no  longer  portion  of  my  time  is  devoted  to  study. 
Another  reason  is,  that  my  health  will  not  permit  long  appli- 
cation. After  studying  intensely  for  one  or  two  hours,  my 
head  is  sensibly  affected,  and  I  am  obliged  to  walk  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  off  all  unpleasant  sensations." 

Notwithstanding  the  infirmities  of  his  health,  however, 
his  rank  as  a  scholar  while  in  college,  w^as  highly  respecta- 
ble. His  quickness  of  mind,  and  liveliness  and  originality 
of  conception,  gave  him  great  advantage  in  classical  and  lite-  | 
rary  studies,  though  manifestly  not  conferring  the  same 
degree  of  facility  in  pursuing  the  more  severe  class  of  his 
college  pursuits.  His  talent  for  original  composition  was 
quite  unusual  for  a  youth  of  his  age.  Some  of  the  produc- 
tions of  his  pen  during  this  period  of  his  life,  would  not  be 
discreditable  to  a  writer  much  his  senior.  Many  of  his  col- 
lege exercises  have  been  preserved,  and  it  is  highly  interest- 
ing to  trace  through  them,  the  same  characteristics  in  style 
and  thought,  which  distinguished  the  valuable  productions 
of  his  later  life.  There  is  the  same  vein  of  delicate  humour 
and  wit,  the  same  exhibition  of  cheerfulness  and  Uveliness  of 
temper,  which  have  always  marked  him  even  in  his  graver 
writings,  and  which,  while  they  add  a  peculiar  charm  to  all 
his  compositions,  form  an  attribute  so  distinguisliing,  that 
his  works  would  be  easily  recognized  by  one  familiar  with 
his  style,  without  the  addition  of  his  name. 

In  looking  over  several  of  his  early  compositions,  many 
of  which  were  prepared  for  public  literary  exhibitions,  I 
have  selected  the  following  as  a  fair  and  interesting  specimen 
of  his  power  in  this  department,  at  this  early  period  of  his 
life.  The  reader  will  see,  through  the  whole  of  this  com- 
position, which  was  prepared  for  a  public  discussion  before  a 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  13 

literary  society  to  which  he  belonged,  the  peculiar  style  of 
the  author.  And  it  is  inserted  here,  not  from  any  special 
worth  in  itself,  but  as  a  specimen  of  his  ability  in  composi- 
tion even  in  youth,  and  an  exhibition  of  the  gradual  formation 
and  development  of  his  mind  for  future  efficiency  and  use- 
fulness. 

**  On  the  question,  Whether  it  would  be  expedient  to  extend 
the  benefits  of  a  liberal  education  to  the  female  sex? 

"  It  has  devolved  upon  me,  in  the  prosecution  of  this  dis- 
cussion, to  present  to  my  auditors  a  summary  of  the  argu- 
ments which  have  been  adduced  in  support  of  both  sides  of 
the  question,  and  to  pronounce  that  decision  which  seems 
most  consistent  with  reason.  And  here,  in  the  name  of  my- 
self and  copartners,  let  me  be  permitted  to  request,  that 
whatever  imperfections  are  perceived,  may  be  covered  with 
the  mantle  of  charity,  and  that  the  eye  of  candour  and  bene- 
volence alone  be  directed  towards  our  youthful,  our  humble 
endeavours. 

*'  The  question,  '  Whether  the  benefits  of  a  liberal  educa- 
tion should  be  extended  to  the  female  sex?'  has  been  ably 
discussed  by  my  worthy  predecessors.  It  only  remains  for 
me  to  make  some  remarks  on  the  general  scope  of  their  rea- 
soning, and  to  see,  by  close  examination,  in  whose  favour  the 
decision  is  to  be  given. 

"Let  every  possible  degree  of  praise  then,  in  the  first 
place,  be  ascribed  to  the  gentleman  ajfirmant,  who  has  so 
nobly,  so  eloquently  defended  the  cause  of  female  education 
against  the  assaults  of  its  enemies,  and  who  has  endeavoured 
to  place  the  female  character  on  that  exalted  station  to  which 
it  is  deservedly  entitled.  Animated  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
subject,  he  has  seemed  to  soar  into  the  regions  of  imagination  : 
for,  alas !  I  fear  so  exalted  an  estimate  of  female  excellence 
as  his,  will  scarcely  be  realized  in  this  lower  world.     Let 

B 


14  MEMOIROF 

none  feel  inclined  to  smile  at  the  honest  warmth  he  has  dis- 
played, for  it  speaks  his  heart  deeply  interested  in  the  suc- 
cess of  the  cause  he  is  advocating.  Doubtless,  like  another 
Coslebs,  he  too  is  in  search  of  his  Ludlla;  and  let  no  fair 
one  present,  dare  to  hope  for  his  favour,  unless  she  is  con- 
scious she  possesses  all  those  qualifications  which  he  has 
thought  fit  to  enumerate  in  the  following  emphatic  language 
of  the  poet — 

"  Hear,  ye  fair  daughters  of  this  happy  land, 

Whose  radiant  eyes  a  vanquish'd  world  command  ; 

Virtue  is  beauty;  but  when  charms  of  mind, 

With  elegance  of  outward  form  are  join'd  ; 

When  youth  makes  such  bright  objects  still  more  bright, 

And  fortune  sets  them  in  the  strongest  light, 

'Tis  all  of  heav'n  that  we  below  may  view. 

And  all  but  adoration,  is  your  due. 

•'  The  affirmant  begins  the  discussion  of  the  question  by  a 
consideration  of  the  dignity  and  importance  of  education  as 
a  general  principle,  and  without  reference  to  either  sex  in 
particular.  The  truth  of  this  proposition,  which  he  has 
taken  considerable  pains  to  enforce,  is  universally  admitted, 
and  therefore  needs  no  comment.  He  next  proceeds  to  an- 
swer the  objection,  that  "  women  are  naturally  incapable  of 
obtaining  a  liberal  education," — an  objection  which,  as  the  op- 
ponent very  justly  observes,  no- one  in  their  sober  senses  ever 
thought  of  advancing.  To  establish  his  proposition,  how- 
ever, the  affirmant  brings  forward  several  examples  of  illus- 
trious women ;  and  it  must  be  confessed,  that  he  has  been 
most  miserably  unfortunate  in  his  selection.  Sappho  and 
Madam  Dacier  appear  first  on  his  list ;  the  one  a  mad  poet- 
ess, who  drowned  herself  to  get  rid  of  her  misfortunes  ;  the 
other  as  notorious  and  disgusting  a  pedant  as  ever  made  pre- 
tensions to  literature.  Next  advance  the  worthy  Queens, 
Elizabeth  and  ^nne,  and  the  Tzarina  Catharine,  three 
very  renowned  personages,  it  must  be  confessed,  as  queens, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  15 

but  not  exceedingly  remarkable  for  depth  or  originality  of 
thought,  or  for  the  great  extent  of  their  acquirements.  How 
much  more  nobly  would  his  catalogue  have  been  swelled, 
liow  much  more  forcible  would  his  argument  have  appeared 
to  us,  had  he  substituted  in  the  place  of  these,  the  names  of 
a  Smith,  a  Carter,  a  Hamilton,  or  a  3Iore!  These  are 
names  which  will  be  pronounced  with  reverence,  when 
tliose  of  Sappho,  of  Elizabeth,  of  Catharine,  shall  have 
perished  in  the  ocean  of  oblivion.  These  are  names  M^iich 
will  always  be  honoured  by  every  lover  of  virtue  ;  every 
enthusiast  in  female  excellence ;  every  admirer  of  genuine 
and  unaffected  piety  ;  and  their  writings  will  stand  for  ages 
as  monuments  of  the  female  mind,  emerging  from  the  ob- 
scurity with  which  ignorance  and  prejudice  had  surrounded 
it,  and  displaying  to  the  world  illustrious  examples  of  the 
benefit,  the  exalted  benefit  of  female  education.  To  such 
women  as  these  we  look  with  admiration.  They  have 
dared  to  stem  the  torrent  of  prejudice;  to  burst  the  shackles 
of  ignorance  ;  to  rise  superior  to  the  generality  of  their  sex, 
and  to  give  them  an  example  of  what  they  can,  of  what  they 
ought  to  perform.  They  have  taught,  by  their  example, 
more  powerful  than  precept,  that  the  dignity,  the  attraction 
of  the  female  character,  does  not  consist  in  the  gaudy  glitter 
of  an  outward  appearance,  or  in  the  vain  display  of  costly 
and  external  accomplishments.  They  have  taught ;  nay, 
they  have  verified  the  assertion  of  the  poet — 

"  Mind,  mind  alone,  bear  witness,  earth  and  heav'n, 
The  living  fountain  in  itself  contains, 
Of  beauteous  and  sublime — here  hand  in  hand, 
Sit  paramount  the  graces. 

*'The  next  argument  of  the  affirmant,  and  upon  which 
he  lays,  very  justly,  a  considerable  degree  of  stress,  is,  that 
women  should  have  the  best  possible  education,  because  to 
them  is  committed  the  task  of  instilling  into  the  minds  of  chil- 


16  MEM  OIR  0  F 

dren  the  first  rudiments  of  knowledge.  They  are  to  stamp 
on  the  pUant  wax  impressions  which  can  never  afterwards  be 
totally  erased.  How  infinitely  important  is  it,  then,  that 
they  be  fitted  to  give  to  these  impressions  a  character  of 
beauty,  of  usefulness,  of  knowledge,  and  of  virtue  ! 

"  The  affirmant  next  proceeds  to  make  a  comparison  be- 
tween the  learning  of  some  of  the  females  of  ancient  days, 
and  that  which  is  possessed  by  the  generality  of  females 
now  ;  and  by  some  round-about  manner  of  reasoning,  is  led 
to  conclude,  that  Jispasia  must  have  been  a  lady  of  wonder- 
ful literary  acquirements,  because  Socrates,  the  wisest  and 
best  of  philosophers,  studied  rhetoric  and  politics  under  her 
tuition.  It  would  certainly  have  been  better  for  the  wise 
Socrates  if  he  had  learned  a  little  of  that  cunning  and  pru- 
dence for  which  that  lady  was  more  especially  remarkable. 
And  here,  though  it  is  wandering  a  little  from  the  subject,  I 
must  be  permitted  to  remark,  that  Socrates,  however  he 
might  have  been  influenced  by  accomplishments  in  the 
choice  of  tutoress,  was  not  so  in  the  choice  of  his  wifCf 
who,  by  all  accounts,  was  a  mere  vixen,  and  famous  for  no- 
thing so  much  as  her  skill  in  scolding ;  and  every  disciple  of 
this  lady  is  universally  and  honourably  denominated  a  Zan- 
tippe.  The  only  reasonable  solution  which  the  best  writers 
have  been  able  to  give  for  this  foolish  action  of  the  wise 
Socrates,  is,  that  he  must  have  married  for  money  ;  and  the 
practice,  the  honourable  practice  which  has  now  become  so 
prevalent  in  our  enlightened  days,  must  date  its  origin  from 
him,  and  is  consequently  supported,  no  matter  who  says  to 
the  contrary,  by  the  authority  of  philosophy. 

"  Those  men,  let  it  be  observed,  are  often  called  base  and 
unprincipled,  who,  in  the  emphatic  language  of  the  times, 
are  said  to  marry  a  fortune  with  the  incumbrance  of  a 
woman  ;  and  they  are  branded  as  unfeeling,  if,  when  pos- 
sessed of  the  fortune,  they  care  but  little  for  the  wife.  But 
here  I  apprehend  much  injustice  is  done  them.    Why  should 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  17 

they  be  blamed  ?  Fortune,  not  woman,  was  the  goddess  to 
whom  they  paid  then*  adorations  ;  she  gave  them  all  she  had, 
and  they  ceased  to  burn  their  incense  on  her  altar.  Women, 
women  alone  are  to  blame  when  they  trust  their  happiness 
to  the  base  and  unprincipled.  Let  them  bestow  their  hands, 
their  hearts,  and  their  fortunes  only  on  those  of  acknow- 
ledged integrity.  Let  them  discountenance  ihefop,  \he  pro- 
fligate, the  gambler,  and  the  spendthrift.  Let  them  not,  as 
is  too  often  the  case,  look  only  to  external  appearance.  Let 
them  study  the  character,  the  disposition,  and  the  mind. 
Then  their  happiness  would  be  safe,  and  though  life  could 
not  be  one  continued  round  of  unvaried  enjoyment,  yet 

"  '  Tho'  tears  might  sometimes  mingle  there, 
Its  cup  would  still  be  sweet.' 

"  But  to  return  more  particularly  to  the  subject.  The  affir- 
mant now  proceeds  to  give  a  marvellous  hard  slap  at  the 
education  of  the  present  times,  and  asserts  that  the  very 
summit  of  female  excellence  in  this  city,  is  a  little  smatter- 
ing of  French,  some  small  skill  in  music,  about  as  much  in 
painting,  with  a  very  great  degree  of  proficiency  in  the 
knowledge  of  what  is  commonly,  though  on  that  account 
not  the  less  elegantly,  denominated  spinning  street  yarn  !  I 
How  the  ladies  will  be  inclined  to  receive  this  assertion 
from  their  champion,  I  cannot  tell ;  yet  if  ever  perchance 
he  has  taken  a  stroll  in  Broadway  from  the  Battery  to 
Park-Place,  or  from  Park-Place  to  the  Battery,  I  will 
ventare  to  say  that  he  has  found  q^iite  as  many  men  as  wo- 
men engaged  in  this  most  important,  most  useful  employ- 
ment. 

'*  The  opponent,  to  whom  I  now  proceed,  conscious  that 

he  had  a  part  to  support  Avhich  would  not  be  very  grateful 

to  many  of  his  hearers,  begins  with  declaring  that  his  task 

was  unpleasant,  and  that  he  expected  to  meet  with  frowns, 

and  to  encounter  prejudiee ;  to  contend  against  all  the  pride 

b2 


18  MEMOIR   OF 

of  the  one  sex,  assisted  by  all  the  gallantry  of  the  other. 
Disdaining,  however,  to  court  the  favour  of  the  fair  by  the 
least  sacrifice  of  opinion,  he  boldly  proclaims  himself  the 
asserter  of  truth,  the  vindicator  of  the  superiority  of  man, 
the  refuter  of  absurd  and  pernicious  opinions.  By  an  exami- 
nation of  one  or  two  of  his  arguments  we  will  be  able  to  see 
how  well  he  supports  his  character,  and  whether  they  are 
quite  so  weighty  as  he  is  inclined  to  imagine. 

"  The  first  objection  of  the  opponent  is,  that  if  you  pretend 
to  give  women  a  liberal  education,  too  much  of  their  time 
will  be  engrossed  from  the  more  important  duties  of  life. 
Now  it  quite  distresses  me  to  hear  any  one  talk  about  time ; 
and  every  individual,  whether  male  or  female,  who  is  ever 
found  to  give  want  of  time  in  excuse  for  ignorance,  will  in- 
evitably be  laughed  at,  if  not  despised.  The  cares  of  a 
family,  and  the  several  duties  of  life,  says  the  opponent,  are 
to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  sex.  Truly  we  in  some  mea- 
sure agree  with  this  proposition,  but  he  is  mistaken  in  apply- 
ing our  reasoning  altogether  to  married  women.  We  say 
that  the  female  sex  should  receive  a  liberal  education  before 
they  are  married,  and  then  they  will  be  fitted  to  fill  that  sta- 
tion with  dignity  and  honour.  But  even  meeting  him  on 
his  own  ground,  we  may  ask  why  they  should  not  be  en- 
gaged in  cultivating  the  faculties  of  their  minds  in  every 
station  in  which  they  may  be  placed  ?  The  cares  of  a  family 
and  the  relative  duties  of  life  cannot  always  occupy  their  at- 
tention, and  what  but  a  want  of  the  means  of  more  rational 
amusement,  drives  many,  both  young  and  old,  to  the  most 
senseless  and  trivial  gratifications  ?  To  this  is  to  be  attri- 
buted that  excessive  fondness  for  balls,  theatres,  cards,  and, 
in  short,  every  thing  which  can  keep  them  from  themselves. 
For  this  cause,  hour  after  hour  is  spent  in  devouring  the 
soup  meagre  trash  of  some  cracked-brain  novelist ;  sighing 
and  crying  over  the  sorrows  of  some  love-sick  swain  ;  dwell- 
ing with  anguish  of  heart  upon  the  miserable  fate  of  some 


REV.    DR.    BE  DE  LL.  19 

fair  damsel  or  disconsolate  lover,  and  declaring,  with  the 
gentle  Desdemona,  that  indeed 

" '  'Tis  pitiful,  'tis  wondrous  pitiful.' 

*'  Look  at  the  innumerable  circulating  libraries ;  see  the  thou- 
sands of  novels  which  are  daily  read ;  behold  this  species  of 
reading  forming  the  minds  and  character  of  the  young  and 
inexperienced,  and  all  this  through  the  want  of  a  more 
useful  and  refined  system  of  culture ;  and  I  apprehend  that 
even  the  greatest  opposers  of  female  education  will  be  ready 
to  exclaim,  Give  them  science,  give  them  learning,  give 
them  any  thing,  but  save  them,  save  them  from  this  poison. 

"  The  next  objection  of  the  opponent  is  rather  curious. 
Learning,  says  he,  sometimes  makes  men  vain.  If  it  makes 
men  vain,  it  will  make  women  more  so  ;  but  as  they  have 
always  a  sufficient  share  of  vanity  without  learning,  conse- 
quently learning,  as  it  would  increase  this,  is  worthy  of  the 
highest  exprobration.  This  is  the  amount  of  his  argument, 
convincing,  perhaps,  to  himself,  but  I  doubt  whether  many 
of  his  hearers,  especially  his  fair  hearers,  will  be  much 
pleased  or  flattered  by  its  introduction.  But  the  argument 
can  be  fairly  turned  against  his  own  conclusion.  Now  vani- 
ty necessarily  presupposes  that  something  is  possessed  by 
the  individual  superior  to  the  rest  of  the  world  ;  therefore, 
by  giving  every  individual  an  education  precisely  alike,  you 
destroy  the  very  source  and  fountain  of  vanity  at  once,  for 
what  every  one  possesses,  surely  no  one  in  particular  will 
be  vain  of.  Let  it  be  asked,  as  a  sufficient  answer  to  the 
argument,  did  ever  any  one  hear  a  man  boast  that  he  had 
legs  and  arms,  or  a  woman  that  she  had  a  nose  ?  The  ob- 
jection of  the  opponent  is  ridiculous. 

*'  Next  follows  an  observation  which,  even  for  the  honour 
of  his  own  sex,  the  opponent  would  much  better  have  omit- 
ted. He  says,  that  if  the  female  sex  were  liberally  educated, 
and  by  this  means  become  enabled  to  converse  on  useful  and 


20  MEMOIROF 

important  subjects,  they  '  Avould  experience  a  lamentable 
dearth  of  beaux,  for  who,'  says  he,  '  would  dare  to  converse 
with  a  literary  amazon  ?  Who  would  wish  to  expose  his 
ignorance  before  female  learning  V  And  is  the  character  of 
our  sex  become  so  far  degraded  that  we  would  willingly  de- 
prive the  female  sex  of  the  benefits  of  learning,  lest  they 
should  make  more  progress  than  ourselves,  and  put  us  to 
shame  ?  Must  we  keep  the  mind  of  a  female  bound  in  the 
fetters  of  ignorance,  because,  perhaps,  she  might  reach  the 
goal  of  eminence  sooner  than  ourselves,  and  snatch  the  vic- 
tory from  our  hands  ?  I  would  blush  for  myself,  I  would 
blush  for  the  dignity  of  my  sex,  did  we  dare  to  give  such  an 
excuse  to  justify  the  keeping  of  them  from  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge.  They  would  drive  away  their  beaux,  says  the 
opponent,  by  the  display  of  their  learning.  Well,  what  if 
they  did  ?  What  characters  are  those  whom  they  would 
drive  off?  The  frivolous  and  the  empty,  the  vacant  brain 
and  the  unfurnished  mind  !  Who,  let  it  be  asked,  who  would 
they  drive  off?  The  insignificantybp,  whose  knowledge  is 
confined  to  the  circle  of  his  toilet ;  whose  scale  of  excellence 
may  be  graduated  by  the  number  of  his  cravats ;  and  whose 
importance  among  rational  creatures,  is  derived  from  his 
tailor,  his  boot-maker,  and  his  hair-dresser  !  I  would  risk 
my  reputation  as  a  man,  as  one  who  is  desirous  of  advancing 
in  knowledge,  upon  the  issue  of  this  trial.  Give  the  female 
sex  a  liberal  education,  and  they  will  never  be  deserted  by 
any  whose  acquaintance  is  an  acquisition.  Give  them  a  libe- 
ral education,  and  it  will  serve  as  a  stimulus  to  our  sex  for 
the  exertion  of  greater  diligence ;  and  by  this  means  the 
general  character  of  the  community  will  experience  a  re- 
verse as  beneficial  in  effects,  as  it  was  noble  and  important 
in  design. 

"  Once  more  :  The  opponent,  in  ridiculing  female  learning, 
says,  '  You  talk  of  a  woman  who  can  make  verses :  give  me 
one  who  can  make  pudding.'     Now  a  woman  who  could 


REV.    DR.    BE  DELL.  21 

make  nothing  but  pudding,  might  perhaps  be  a  wife  very 
much  to  his  liking ;  but  if  I,  or  any  other  reasonable  man, 
were  going  to  choose,  I  fancy  it  would  be  one  of  a  far  dif- 
ferent stamp.  The  question,  however,  is  serious.  What 
considerations  should  influence  a  man  in  the  choice  of  a 
wtfe  ?  I  venture  not  to  answer,  yet  thus  much  can  be  said, 
that  he  may  be  considered  as  supremely  miserable  whose 
wife  is  his  housekeeper,  not  his  coinpanion  ;  his  servant, 
not  the  friend  of  his  bosom.  It  may  be  folly,  it  may  be 
enthusiasm,  it  may  be  madness,  but  I  would  consider  my 
life  but  as  a  dreary  and  cheerless  wilderness,  if  the  companion 
of  its  path  must  be  a  wife  from  whose  eye  beamed  no  ray  of 
intelligence  ;  whose  mind  had  never  been  formed  by  indus- 
trious education ! 

*'  I  have  now  been  so  long  in  discharging  one  part  of  my 
duty,  that  I  have  not  much  time  left  to  discharge  the  rest. 
The  affirmant  and  opponent  both  agree,  that  education  is 
necessary  for  the  female  sex  ;  but  they  difier  as  to  the  de- 
gree in  Avhich  it  is  to  be  given,  and,  unfortunately,  they  both 
happen  to  be  wrong.  A  medium  between  the  two  is  pro- 
bably the  most  correct  standard  of  female  education.  A 
woman,  it  would  seem,  should  not  be  ignorant  of  the  gene- 
ral principles  of  philosophy,  though  we  would  hardly  wish 
to  see  any  woman  di  philosopher.  Some  knowledge  of  the 
learned  languages,  though  not  essential,  would  be  harmless. 
History,  geography,  and  poetry,  are  absolutely  necessary ; 
and  above  all,  and  what  I  fear  is  sought  for  least  than  all — a 
knowledge  of  her  Bible.  These  are  sources  from  which 
will  flow,  in  tinremitted  streams,  the  most  rational  of  all 
pleasures,  that  of  conversation.  Added  to  the  acquirements 
which  we  have  just  mentioned,  may  be  reckoned  a  know- 
ledge of  painting  and  music;  but  it  is  to  be  recollected  that 
these  should  only  be  of  secondary  consideration.  It  is  most 
unquestionably  a  fault  in  the  present  system  of  education, 
that  too  much  time  is  employed  in  the  attainment  of  these 


22  MEMOIROF 

accomplishments  to  the  exclusion  of  much  more  important 
knowledge.     'A  great  deal,  to  be  sure,'  says  an  eloquent 
writer,  '  can  be  said  in  favour  of  the  social  nature  of  the 
fine  arts.     Music  gives  pleasure  to  others.     Drawing  is  an 
art  the  amusement  of  which  does  not  centre  in  him  who 
exercises  it,  but  is  diffused  among  the  rest  of  the  world. 
This  is  true,  but  there  is  nothing  after  all  so  social  as  a  cul- 
tivated mind.     We  do  not  mean  to  speak  slightingly  of  the 
fine  arts,  or  to  depreciate  the  good  humour  with  which  they 
are  sometimes  exhibited ;  but  we  appeal  to  any  man,  whether 
a  little  spirited  and  sensible  conversation,  displaying  modest- 
ly useful  acquirements,  and  evincing  rational  curiosity,  is 
not  well  worth  the  highest  exertions  of  musical  or  graphical 
skill  ?  A  woman  of  mere  accomplishments  may  for  half  an 
hour,  entertain  with  great  brilliancy  those  who  have  the 
pleasure  of  knowing  her  ;  but  a  mind  full  of  ideas,  and  with 
that  elastic  spring,  which  the  love  of  knowledge  only  can 
convey,  is  a  perpetual  source  of  exhilaration  and  amusement 
to  all  who  come  within  its  reach,  not  collecting  its  force  into 
single  and  insulated  achievements  like  the  efforts  made  in  the 
fine  arts,  but  diffusing  over  the  whole  of  existence  a  calm 
pleasure,  better  loved  as  it  is  longer  felt,  and  suitable  to  every 
variety  and  period  of  life.    Therefore,  instead  of  hanging  the 
understanding  of  a  woman  upon  walls  or  hearing  it  vibrate 
upon  strings,  instead  of  seeing  it  in  clouds,  or  hearing  it  in 
the  wind ;  we  would  make  it  the  first  spring  and  ornament 
of  society,  by  enriching  it  with  impressions  and  attainments 
upon  which  alone  such  power  depends.' 

"  Much,  very  much,  might  still  be  said,  yet  I  fear  your 
patience  is  not  quite  so  exhaustless  as  the  subject.  Before 
I  conclude,  however,  suffer  me  to  repeat  the  consideration 
that  scarcely  any  education  would  seem  too  good  for  those 
who  are,  as  it  were,  by  a  law  of  their  nature,  destined — 


to  rear  the  tender  thought, 


To  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  23 

To  pour  the  fresh  instruction  o'er  the  mind, 
To  breathe  the  enliv'ning  spirit,  and  to  fix 
The  gen'rous  purpose  in  the  glowing  breast. 

"  What  education,  then,  let  it  be  asked,  can  be  too  good  for 
those  to  whom  this  task  is  committed — this  task,  at  once  so 
delightful  and  responsible  ?  They  are  to  plant  in  the  soil  of  the 
youthful  heart,  those  seeds  which,  in  future  years,  are  to  pre- 
sent the  parents  the  accomplishment  of  their  fondest  hopes  in 
the  beauty  and  vigour  of  the  tree  ;  or  else  be  the  source  of  acut- 
estmisery  and  self-condemnation,  if  they  spring  up  naught  but 
noxious  and  unprofitable  weeds.  If  such  considerations  as 
these  had  always  received  the  attention  to  which  they  are  by 
their  importance  most  justly  entitled,  many  parents  would 
have  been  saved  the  misery  of  beholding  the  depravity  of 
their  children  ;  many  children  would  have  become  the  orna- 
ments of  society,  instead  of  the  miserable  victims  of  disgrace 
and  infamy.  '  Train  up  a  child,'  says  the  wise  man,  '  in 
the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart 
from  it.'  Sow  then,  the  seeds  of  virtue  and  of  knowledge 
in  the  youthful  breast,  and  cultivate  them  with  unremitted 
attention.  Then,  when  the  youth  shall  have  sprung  up  into 
the  man,  the  plant  which,  by  your  industrious  care,  has  been 
nourished  and  brought  to  maturity,  shall  repay  you  with 
tenfold  interest :  for  you  shall  soon  behold  it  flourishing  in 
the  richest  luxuriance,  and  in  your  declining  years  you  shall 
find  under  its  branches  a  grateful — a  refreshing  shade." 

While  he  was  particularly  fond  of  original  composition  and 
early  acquired,  as  is  here  seen,  an  unusual  facility  and  readi- 
ness in  this  branch  of  his  education ;  he  also  possessed  a  re- 
markable talent  for  public  speaking.  He  was  naturally  an 
orator,  endowed  with  a  very  peculiar  share  of  those  mental 
and  physical  qualities  which  are  adapted  for  excellence  in 
this  important  art.  His  early  success  in  speaking,  and  his 
natural  fondness  for  it,  led  him  to  a  more  frequent  exercise 


24  MEMOIROF 

of  himself  in  it,  than  most  students  are  accustomed  to.  He 
manifested  much  wisdom  and  judgment  in  the  improvement 
which  he  thus  gained,  and  acquired  means  of  influence  upon 
others,  which  were  employed  for  purposes  of  extensive  use- 
fulness in  his  subsequent  life.  In  this,  he  may  be  consider- 
ed as  a  valuable  example  to  other  students  ;  not  only  to  those 
who  are  preparing  themselves  for  the  high  duties  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  but  also  for  such  as  have  devoted  them- 
selves to  other  stations  and  duties  in  the  great  business  of 
human  life.  In  our  country,  every  youth  of  talent  and  cor- 
rect principles  and  deportment,  has  all  the  avenues  of  use- 
fulness and  influence  in  society  opened  before  him ;  and  no 
employment,  even  in  the  lowest  mechanic  arts,  should  be 
allowed  to  divert  from  the  proper  cultivation  of  the  mind  and 
the  external  address,  those  who  have  been  endowed  with 
powers  which  may  be  made  productive  of  good  to  others. 
But  especially  in  the  case  of  young  men  preparing  for  the 
pulpit,  is  attention  to  excellence  in  the  habit  and  ability  for 
public  speaking,  indispensable.  Whatever  may  be  the  real 
improvement  of  the  mind,  and  the  actual  acquisition  of  know- 
ledge, it  becomes  in  the  pulpit  almost  useless,  without  a  rea- 
sonable facility  of  expression,  and  a  distinct,  intelligible,  and 
impressive  enunciation. 

The  excellency  of  power  in  persuading  men  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  God,  and  bringing  them  to  the  obedience  of  faith, 
is  wholly  of  God,  and  is  certainly  tied  to  no  mere  human 
instrumentality.  But  in  accordance  with  all  his  divine  go- 
vernment, God  uses  in  this  case  also,  the  most  natural  and 
probable  means  of  success.  And  though  "  excellency  of 
speech  and  of  wisdom"  are  rejected  and  to  be  renounced, 
when  placed  in  the  stead  of  a  "crucified  Christ,  the  power 
of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God,"  they  are  accepted  and 
blessed,  when  they  are  brought  in  the  simplicity  of  faith  and 
with  the  spirit  of  prayer,  to  "  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our 
Saviour,"  and  to  sustain  and  honour  "  the  glorious  gospel 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  25 

of  Christ."  There  is  surely  much  danger  in  the  preacher's 
exposure  to  a  self-complacent  and  self-dependent  spirit, — to 
a  laying  of  unholy  hands  upon  the  ark  of  God.  And  it  is  bet- 
ter to  have  no  mind  or  knowledge,  than  to  worship  them  and 
depend  upon  them  as  our  god.  But  there  is  also  great 
danger,  in  avoiding  this  difficulty,  of  running  to  an  extreme 
almost  as  faulty,  in  exalting  ignorance  under  the  plea  of 
giving  more  glory  to  God,  and  rejecting  care,  and  study,  and 
effort,  in  preaching  the  gospel,  because  they  are  "  creature 
helps."  What  human  mind  can  measure  the  fulness  of  re- 
deeming love,  "into  which  angels  desire  to  look?"  What 
mortal  tongue  can  adequately  unfold  "  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ  ?"  With  the  utmost  powers  and  attainments 
of  which  man  is  capable,  we  stand  but  upon  the  margin  of 
an  ocean  whose  "  length,  and  breadth,  and  height,  and  depth, 
each  passeth  knowledge."  And  none  need  fear,  when  all 
acquisitions  have  been  gained,  which  are  adapted  to  find  out 
and  utter  "  acceptable  words,"  that  they  shall  preach  the 
gospel  of  Christ  too  well.  Much  as  the  Church  needs  men 
of  faith,  and  prayer,  and  zeal,  and  love,  she  also  "  requires 
and  asks  with  particular  earnestness,  for  men  as  her  messen- 
gers and  watchmen,"  whose  intellect  and  manner,  adorned 
with  all  that  is  attractive  and  excellent,  shall  not  dishonour 
before  a  watchful  world,  the  high  trust  committed  to  them, 
nor  bring  reproach  and  contempt,  by  rudeness  and  ignorance, 
upon  the  message  which  they  are  sent  to  proclaim  to  man- 
kind. 

The  peculiar  attributes  of  Dr.  Bedell's  oratory  will  be 
noticed  in  the  proper  place.  The  subject  is  here  referred  to, 
simply  that  it  may  be  seen,  and  considered  as  worthy  of  espe- 
cial imitation,  how  early  he  commenced  his  attention  to  an 
attainment  M'^hich  resulted  in  such  ripeness  of  excellence  as 
an  instrument  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  ministry  of  the  gospel. 

Soon  after  his  graduation  at  college,  in  1811,  he  com- 
menced his  preparation  for  holy  orders  under  the  direction 


26  MEMOIROF 

of  Dr.  How,  one  of  the  assistant  ministers  of  Trinity  Church, 
New-York.  At  this  interesting  crisis  of  his  Hfe,  it  would 
be  highly  satisfactory  to  have  had  some  adequate  evidence 
of  the  development  of  that  religious  character  which  is  so 
essential  to  a  proper  entrance  on  this  holy  work.  But  of 
this  testimony  we  are  entirely  destitute.  There  is  reason  to 
believe  that  his  own  views  had  been  turned  towards  the 
ministry  from  his  childhood,  and  it  is  very  certain  that  the 
wishes  of  his  family  were  always  concentrated  upon  the 
same  point.  But  at  the  time  of  his  actual  commencement  of 
his  preparation  for  it,  there  was  no  especial  expectation  of  it 
in  their  minds,  nor  were  they  aware  of  any  particular  im- 
pressions of  religion  upon  his  own.  His  first  attendance 
with  them  at  the  Lord's  table,  of  which  he  had  given  them 
no  previous  notice,  and  which  accordingly,  in  some  degree, 
surprised  them,  was  the  first  evidence  which  they  received 
of  any  actual  determination  of  his  mind  upon  the  subject  of 
personal  religion.  He  was  remarkably  averse  through  his 
whole  life  to  the  communication  of  his  own  feelings.  Even 
with  the  most  intimate  companions  and  friends  he  abstained 
from  conversation  referring  to  himself,  and  it  was  only  as 
they  were  drawn  from  him  with  some  degree  of  skill  and 
perseverance,  that  such  statements  were  ever  made  at  all. 
The  knowledge  of  this  accounts  to  us,  for  this  ignorance  of 
his  state  of  mind,  and  plans  of  conduct  at  this  period  of  his 
history,  even  in  those  who  were  the  most  intimately  connect- 
ed with  him  in  life.  Destitute  as  we  are  of  adequate  informa- 
tion, in  reference  to  his  peculiar  views  and  feelings,  as  connect- 
ed with  these  new  circumstances  of  life,  we  have  abundant  rea- 
son to  fear,  from  the  very  great  change  which  subsequently 
occurred  in  the  whole  system  of  his  views  in  regard  to  reli- 
gious subjects,  as  well  as  from  his  habits  of  life  after  he  had 
entered  upon  a  preparation  for  the  ministry,  that  there  was 
a  great  deficiency  in  him  of  proper  seriousness  of  character 
and  principle  in  reference  to  this  important  step.     And  we 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  2*7 

cannot  but  adore  the  forbearing  providence  of  God,  which 
wisely  and  mercifully  guided  him  through  unexpected  paths, 
and  in  the  midst  of  circumstances  quite  discouraging  in  their 
influence  upon  his  future  course,  to  that  high  sphere  of  duty 
and  usefulness  which  he  ultimately  attained,  exhibiting  thus 
not  only  his  unsearchable  riches  of  mercy  to  this  individual 
soul,  but  also  his  kindness  and  bounty  to  the  many  hundreds 
to  whom  this  one  was  made  the  effectual  messenger  of  grace 
and  salvation. 

Mr.  Bedell's  buoyant  and  animated  temperament,  and  his 
graceful  and  agreeable  manners  at  the  period  of  life  which 
we  are  now  considering,  made  society  attractive  to  him,  and 
himself  attractive  to  others.  He  was  thus  led  into  much  of 
that  gaiety  of  habit  and  amusement,  which  so  generally 
marks  the  associations  of  the  young  in  the  higher  classes  of 
society  in  large  cities.  He  was  never  at  any  period,  even 
before  his  making  a  profession  of  religion,  immoral  in  his 
habits,  according  to  the  standard  of  men,  and  much  less  was 
he  so  after  this  important  act  of  life,  but  he  was  very  desti- 
tute of  seriousness  and  spirituality  of  mind,  and  of  what  he 
would  have  himself  subsequently  considered,  as  satisfactory 
evidence  of  religious  character. 

Much  as  it  ought  to  surprise  us,  that  a  young  man  should 
ever  be  encouraged  to  present  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry  without  manifest  avidence  of  a  renewed  and  spiritual 
mind,  such,  it  must  be  confessed,  was  at  the  time  in  which 
he  was  thus  received,  far  too  generally  the  fact  in  the  Church. 
And  the  reviving  spirit  of  true  religion  among  us,  exhibits  itself 
in  nothing  more  clearly  than  in  the  elevation  of  the  standard 
of  character,  both  of  the  clergy,  and  of  candidates  for  the  sacred 
office.  His  own  views  upon  this  great  subject,  it  is  well 
known,  became  entirely  corrected,  and  he  looked  back  with 
sorrow  and  shame,  to  consider  the  inconsistent  state  of  mind 
and  character  with  which  he  had  approached  the  altar  of  the 
Lord.     During  his  course  of  preparatory  studies,  all  that  can 


28 


MEMO IR   OF 


be  said  of  him  is,  that  his  standard  of  religious  character  and 
responsibiUty  was  not  lower  than  that  of  many  other  young 
men  at  the  same  time  under  similar  circumstances,  a  time  at 
which  we  must  acknowledge  with  much  sorrow,  worldly 
conformity  was  but  too  generally  tolerated  in  Christian  pro- 
fessors, and  both  communicants  and  ministers  of  the  Church 
were  allowed,  without  discredit,  to  mingle  in  amusements  in- 
jurious in  their  tendency  and  positively  sinful  in  themselves. 
Happy  was  it  for  Mr.  Bedell,  and  happy  has  it  been  for  many 
souls  beside,  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  brought  him  subse- 
quendy  to  a  knowledge  of  his  sin,  and  to  a  total  change  in 
his  character  and  habits  !  Happy  will  it  be  for  his  younger 
brethren,  if,  in  looking  forward  to  the  same  high  office,  they 
will  receive  the  benefit  of  his  later  experience,  and  avoid  the 
early  course  of  concession  to  the  world,  by  which  he  pur- 
chased it  so  painfully  for  himself.  There  can  be  but  litde 
danger  of  the  attainment  of  too  much  spirituality  of  affection, 
and  too  great  separation  from  the  frivolities  and  corrupting 
influence  of  the  world,  for  those  who  have  professed  to  give 
themselves  up  to  God,  and  especially  for  those  who  have 
separated  themselves  for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ. 

Few  young  Christians  and  candidates  for  the  ministry  un- 
derstand how  uniformly  concession  in  what  is  hurtful  or 
wrong,  in  reference  to  the  interests  of  their  souls,  creates 
obstacles  to  their  success  in  duty,  and  sources  of  abiding  un- 
happiness  to  themselves.  Compromise  of  principles,  though 
often  made,  under  the  plea  of  winning  others,  to  adopt  what 
is  thus  yielded  for  the  sake  of  winning  them,  finds  its  usual 
result,  in  unsettling  the  minds  of  those  who  yield,  and  in 
provoking  only  contempt  and  neglect  from  others,  for  whom 
the  concession  is  made.  Let  us  look  to  the  law  and  exam- 
ple of  our  Saviour  Christ,  and  in  the  determination  simply 
to  follow  him  by  his  Spirit,  let  us  learn  to  leave  the  results 
of  duty  wholly  in  his  hands. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  29 

Mr.  Bedell  resided  in  the  city  of  New-York  until  he  was 
prepared  for  orders.  He  was  allowed  here  to  enjoy  the 
particular  kindness  and  friendship  of  the  Right  Reverend 
Bishop  Hobart,  of  that  city,  for  whom,  at  this  time,  he  en- 
tertained an  affection  and  respect  amounting,  in  his  own 
expression,  to  adoration.  The  peculiar  religious  views  in 
which  he  was  educated  for  the  ministry,  were  especially 
those  with  which  Bishop  Hobart's  name  has  become  so  identi- 
fied in  the  American  Church,  and  of  the  justice  of  which, 
Mr.  Bedell  had  at  this  time  no  doubt.  So  great  was  his 
veneration  for  the  judgment  of  this  distinguished  man,  and  so 
certainly  true  did  he  consider  his  views  of  doctrine,  that  he 
was  accustomed,  subsequently,  to  say  in  reference  to  his  early 
ministry,  that  for  its  first  years  he  "  preached  Bishop 
Hobart."  Circumstances  afterwards  led  him,  through  the 
providence  of  God,  to  an  examination  of  these  views,  and 
to  the  assumption  of  the  very  different  ground  which,  in  his 
useful  ministry,  he  was  known  to  occupy.  But  though  he 
honestly  followed  out  his  own  convictions  of  duty,  in  this 
important  matter,  no  circumstances  ever  changed  the  aflec- 
tionate  kindness  with  which  he  regarded  the  friend  under 
whose  ministry,  as  his  pastor,  he  had  been  educated,  and 
by  whose  judgment  he  was  so  unhesitatingly  guided  in  his 
early  life. 

He  was  ordained  Deacon  by  Bishop  Hobart  on  the  4th 
of  November,  1814,  within  one  week  after  he  had  attained 
the  canonical  age.  His  very  uncommon  powers  as  a  public 
speaker,  united  with  his  youth,  immediately  arrested  much 
attention.  In  reference  to  his  first  sermon,  which  was 
preached  in  Christ  Church,  New-York,  on  the  Sunday  after 
his  ordination,  under  circumstances  of  much  bodily  indispo- 
sition, it  was  remarked  by  a  distinguished  gentleman 
present,  that  "  he  seemed  as  much  at  home  in  the  pulpit,  as 
if  he  had  been  born  there."  Through  the  winter  and 
spring    after  his  ordination,  he  was  engaged  in  a  journey 

c  2 


30  MEMOIROF 

through  some  of  the  southern  cities  ;  and  the  recol- 
lections of  those  with  whom  he  then  associated,  exhibit 
him  as  a  general  favourite  in  the  circles  which  he  visited. 
His  musical  talents,  added  to  his  peculiar  vivacity  of  spirit, 
and  cheerful  pleasantry  in  conversation,  made  him  every 
where  acceptable  as  a  companion  ;  while  much  admiration 
followed  him  in  his  public  appearance  in  the  pulpit.  But 
there  are  no  recollections  which  bring  to  light,  at  this 
period  of  his  life,  those  useful  and  sanctified  traits  for  which 
the  Christian's  eye  searches  the  character  of  the  youthful 
minister  of  Christ,  and  which,  in  connexion  with  his  bril- 
liant and  attractive  powers  of  mind  and  person,  would  have 
been  esteemed  so  especially  precious,  and  so  adapted  to 
influence  others  for  their  good.  The  impressions  made 
upon  the  memory  of  his  hearers,  by  his  public  addresses  at 
this  time,  were  very  marked.  But  they  were  those  of  ad- 
miration for  man,  not  of  submission  and  love  to  God. 
Though  twenty  years  have  now  passed  by,  many  who 
heard  him  then  in  public,  are  still  found  to  speak  of  him  as 
very  wonderful  for  his  talents  as  a  public  speaker,  and  to 
repeat  the  subjects,  and  outlines  of  his  sermons,  which  then 
made  a  strong  impression  upon  their  minds. 

Poor  indeed,  however,  Avill  be  a  retrospect  upon  the 
mere  admiration  of  men,  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ, 
for  the  minister  of  Jesus  !  His  only  crown  of  rejoicing  there 
is  the  souls  who  have  been  brought,  by  his  labours,  home 
to  God.  If  he  have  not  this,  he  is  far  better  without  the  other. 
And  it  would  have  given  pious  minds,  far  more  joy  to 
hear  of  the  spirituality  of  conversation  and  conduct,  distin- 
guishing this  youthful  minister,  even  though  but  a  single 
soul  had  been  permanently  blessed  through  his  instrumen- 
tality, than  of  all  the  amount  of  passing  favour  which  he 
gained  with  the  world.  His  own  subsequent  retrospection 
too,  would  have  been  far  more  happy  and  comforting  to 
himself,  could  he  have  looked  back  to  see  an  ardent  love  for 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  31 

Christ,   and  the  souls  of   men,  guidmg  him  with  its  con- 
straining power  from  the  commencement  of  his  ministry. 
We  may  and  must   adore   the  grace   which    subsequently 
led  him  by  ways   that  he  knew  not,  to  embrace  the  whole 
"truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus;"  but  we  must  also  exhort  and 
admonish  all  who  look  forward  to  the  same  holy  station, 
to  see  that  they  enter  upon  their  work,  with  hands  clean, 
and  hearts  sincere.     Nothing  so  adorns  the  character  of  the 
most  youthful  minister  of  Christ,  as  uniform  and  overruling 
spirituality  of   mind,   and  a  conversation  which  manifestly 
exhibits  his   great  object  in  life,   to  be  the  glory   of   the 
Saviour,  and  the  honour  of  his  gospel.     Beyond  all  literary 
attainments,  is  this  holy  conformity  of  mind  and  character 
to   Christ,  this  experience  in  a  renewed  heart  of  the  power 
of  grace,  to  be  regarded  in  its  importance  and  value.     And 
the    duty    and   privilege  of    obtaining  this,   cannot  be  too 
seriously  impressed  upon  those  who  are  preparing  for  the 
ministry  ;  nor  the  duty  of  seeing  that  they  are  not  manifest- 
ly deficient  in  it,  upon  those   to  whom  the  Church  has  in 
any  way  committed  the  care  and  supervision  of  their  studies 
or  their  character.     Many  undoubtedly  come  forward,  to  offer 
themselves  as  "  ambassadors   for  Christ,"  whose  hearts  are 
but  lightly  affected  with  a  sense  of  the  responsibility  and 
obligations  which  they  assume.     Of  them,   few  compara- 
tively are  allowed,   like  Mr.   Bedell,  afterward  to  taste  and 
obtain  "  the  grace  of  life."     The  majority  go  on  in  a  heart- 
less, fruitless  ministry  ;  knowing  no  Saviour,  and  preaching 
none  ;   having  no  attending  power  of   "  the    Holy    Ghost 
sent  down  from  heaven"  to  awaken  the  souls  of  sinners,  and 
revive  the  spirit  of  religion  under  their  efforts  ;  and  passing 
at  last  to  the  "judgment-seat  of  God,  with  no  redeemed  souls 
as  their  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 
Such  unworthy  ministers  are  a  curse  to  others,  and  rejected 
and  condemned  themselves.     O,  that  our  "  sons  of  the  pro- 
phets," would  look  and  be  admonished  !     That  they  would 


32  MEMOIROF 

all  seek  to  have  Christ  first  "  revealed  in  them,"  that  they 
may  preach  him  with  success  to  others  ;  to  have  him  formed 
in  their  hearts,  as  the  hope  of  glory,  that  they  may  be 
themselves  presented,  and  be  able  to  present  others  before 
God,  "  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus  !" 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  33 


CHAPTER  II. 

SETTLEMENT    IIT    HUDSON COMPARISON    OF    SERMONS EFFORTS    IK 

HIS    MINISTRY DEFICIENCIES MARRIAGE PROSPECT    OF  REMOV- 
ING    TO     NEW-YORK DISAPPOINTMENT REMOVAL     TO     FAYETTE- 

VILLE. 

We  have  now  to  contemplate  the  character  of  Mr.  Bedell, 
under  the  new  circumstances  and  in  the  responsible  situation 
of  a  settled  pastor.  After  his  return  from  his  southern  tour, 
he  passed  a  few  months  with  his  father  in  the  city  of  New- 
York.  Here  he  received  invitations  from  several  different 
quarters,  to  engage  in  the  duties  of  a  parochial  ministry. 
For  a  little  time  he  hesitated  in  his  decision  among  them,  in 
regard  to  an  important  opening  presented  to  him  in  one  of 
the  southern  states.  But  his  great  anxiety  to  be  near  his 
father  and  family  induced  the  determination  to  remain  in  his 
native  state,  and  he  subsequently  accepted  the  charge  of  the 
Church  at  Hudson,  on  the  North  River.  He  removed  to 
this  place  in  the  beginning  of  the  summer  of  1815. 

His  first  sermon  at  Hudson,  as  the  minister  of  the  Church, 
was  delivered  on  the  4th  of  June,  from  the  41st  and  42nd 
verses  of  the  5th  chapter  of  the  Acts  :  "And  they  departed 
from  the  presence  of  the  council,  rejoicing  that  they  were 
counted  worthy  to  suffer  shame  for  his  name ;  and  daily  in 
the  temple,  and  in  every  house,  they  ceased  not  to  teach  and 
to  preach  Jesus  Christ."  In  this  sermon,  the  subject  upon 
which  he  designed  to  speak,  was  "  gospel  preaching."  It 
was  a  subject  well  chosen  to  show  how  far  he  understood 


34  MEMOIROF 

for  himself,  or  was  able  to  exhibit  to  others,  the  ^eat  and 
important  principles  which  are  involved  in  gospel  preaching. 
And  we  have  found  in  it,  just  those  partial  and  imperfect 
views  of  divine  truth,  which  a  knowledge  of  his  previous 
education  and  character,  would  have  led  us  to  expect.  It 
may  be  considered  as  also  providentially  appointed,  though 
undesignedly  by  him,  as  illustrative  of  his  future  ministry  ; 
of  which  the  "  teaching  and  preaching  Jesus  Christ,"  was  the 
peculiar  characteristic.  And  in  doing  this,  though  among 
the  pious  portion  of  the  community  he  was  highly  honoured, 
he  did  not  fail  to  endure  his  portion  of  shame  and  hostility 
in  the  world  for  the  Saviour's  sake. 

From  this  discourse  it  is  manifest  that  he  did  not  then  under- 
stand the  great  doctrine  of  "  Christ,  the  wisdom  of  God,  and 
the  power  of  God,"  in  the  justification  and  sanctifying  of 
the  believer's  soul.  Nor  had  his  mind  been  led  to  a  proper 
conception  of  that  want  in  man,  and  that  provision  in  the 
Saviour,  which  must  always  be  the  foundation  of  gospel 
preaching.  But  there  is  a  spirit  of  seriousness,  in  the  con- 
templation of  his  own  duties,  which  was  the  encouraging 
dawn  of  a  better  day,  and  which  shows  him  to  us,  even 
then,  under  the  incipient  guidance  of  that  Spirit,  who  was 
eventually  to  lead  him  into  all  truth. 

An  incident,  which  has  been  communicated  by  a  highly 
respected  brother  in  the  ministry,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henshaw,  of 
Baltimore,  will  be  interesting  here,  as  giving,  in  some  degree, 
an  insight  into  the  probable  instrument  of  producing  this 
manifest  increased  seriousness  of  spirit,  as  well  as,  perhaps, 
of  much  assisting  the  subsequent  entire  alteration  of  his  reli- 
gious views.  And  it  is  a  deeply  interesting  fact,  that  the 
same  honoured  minister  of  Christ,  who  was  probably  thus 
an  instrument  in  the  hand  of  God,  of  leading  his  mind  to  a 
right  foundation,  should  have  been  afterwards  the  one  ap- 
pointed also,  to  receive  his  rich  and  precious  dying  testimony 
to  the  value  of  those  glorious  truths  then  most  clearly  received 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  35 

and  enjoyed,  which  he  now  began  to  see  "  through  a  glass 
darkly." 

"  On  the  Sunday  after  taking  charge  of  St.  Ann's  Church, 
Brooklyn,"  Dr.  H.  writes,  "  I  preached  two  sermons  upon 
the  '  nature  and  effects  of  evangelical  ministrations.' 

'*  Mr.  B.,  then,  I  believe,  a  candidate  for  orders,  or  re- 
cently ordained,  was  an  attentive  hearer  of  the  sermons  ;  but 
I  have  reason  to  believe  that  there  was  little  in  their  doctrines 
or  spirit  that  was  congenial  with  the  views  then  entertained 
by  him.  About  the  time,  however,  when  he  was  invited  to 
take  charge  of  the  Church  in  Hudson,  he  borrowed  those 
sermons  and  retained  them  several  weeks.  It  struck  me  as 
a  remarkable  circumstance  at  the  time,  considering  the  dif- 
ference in  our  views,  and  I  could  not  but  cherish  the  hope 
and  offer  the  prayer,  that  the  Lord's  hand  might  be  in  it,  and 
that  it  might  be  overruled  for  good.  Whether  the  hearing 
and  subsequent  perusal  of  those  sermons  produced  any  effect 
upon  the  views  and  feelings  of  my  young  brother  in  the 
ministry,  in  reference  to  the  spirit,  the  responsibility,  and 
the  duties  of  the  pastoral  office,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
say ;  but  I  have  always  entertained  a  hope,  that  divine  grace 
was  then  opening  his  mind  and  preparing  his  heart  for  the 
reception  of  those  evangelical  doctrines  which  were  after- 
wards so  precious  to  his  own  soul,  and  of  which  he  was  for 
many  years  a  living  witness  and  successful  advocate." 

The  full  opening  of  Mr.  Bedell's  mind  to  these  great  prin- 
ciples of  doctrine  which  marked  his  later  ministry,  appears 
to  have  been  very  gradually  attained,  and  yet  it  may  be  de- 
cidedly traced  through  the  whole  of  his  subsequent  preach- 
ing, the  most  of  the  materials  of  which  have  been  subjected 
to  my  inspection.  He  had  evidently  undergone  a  radical 
change  in  his  views  of  divine  truth,  while  he  resided  in  Hud- 
son.    But  all  this  was  as  only  the  faint  commencing  of  that 


36  MEMOIROF 

*'  shining  light  which  afterwards  shone  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day."  Even  so  late  in  his  life  as  througli  his 
whole  ministry  in  Philadelphia,  the  enlargement  of  his  mind 
was  seen  to  be  still  progressing,  and  his  preaching  growing 
every  year,  more  simple,  apostolical,  and  evangelical  in  its 
character,  as  he  approached  the  glorious  termination  of  his 
course. 

In  order  to  gain  a  proper  apprehension  of  this  change  in 
his  views  of  truth,  as  it  was  exhibited  in  the  alteration  in  his 
style  of  preaching,  it  will  not  be  uninteresting  here,  to  com- 
pare some  extracts  from  this  first  sermon,  as  it  was  preached 
in  Hudson,  and  as  it  was  again  preached  as  the  introduction 
of  his  labours  at  Fayetteville,  a  little  more  than  three  years 
after.  And  though  it  is  in  some  degree  anticipating  the  re- 
gular current  of  events,  it  will  have  the  effect  of  showing  the 
result  which,  by  the  grace  of  God,  he  attained  in  this  short 
period  of  his  ministry,  and  to  gain  which  he  was  required 
to  go  through  many  trials,  and  to  learn  much  by  a  painful 
experience.  Our  first  extract  will  be  in  reference  to  the  op- 
position of  men  to  "  gospel  preaching."  As  the  sermon  was 
preached  in  Hudson,  the  following  passage  stands  thus  : — 

"  Here  then  it  is  that  our  exertions  are  apt  to  be  mistaken, 
and  our  well-meant  endeavours  attributed  to  motives  of  an 
uncharitable  nature  ;  and  he  who  feels  it  his  duty  to  preach 
the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  is  often  stigmatized  as  unfriendly  to 
the  comfort  and  the  social  happiness  of  man.  Did  we,  in- 
deed, seek  to  make  men  pleased  with  themselves  and  with 
us,  our  task  would  be  infinitely  more  easy,  and  then  our  con- 
tinued, reiterated  discourse  should  be,  '  Let  us  eat  and  drink, 
for  to-morrow  we  die.'  But  when  we  think  of  our  obliffa- 
tions,  when  we  remember  that  it-is  ours,  through  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  to  prepare  the  way  by  which  men  may  attain 
the  happiness  of  heaven,  and  that  if  any  are  dashed  to  pieces 
amidst  the  rocks  and  quicksands  which  it  was  our  duty  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  37 

point  out,  we  are  to  be  answerable,  it  is  surely  not  only  our 
duty,  but  our  interest,  by  motives  the  most  powerful,  by 
exhortations  the  most  urgent,  not  only  to  save  the  souls  of 
those  who  hear  us,  but  also  to  shield  our  own  from  the  sen- 
tence of  condemnation.  Therefore  it  is,  that  our  duty  to 
God  is  to  be  regarded,  rather  than  deference  to  man  or 
man's  judgment,  and  any  imputation  is  far  better  than  that 
of  an  unfaithful  servant." 

In  preaching  the  same  sermon  at  Fayetteville,  besides  some 
important  corrections  in  the  preceding  passage,  the  following 
is  introduced  immediately  to  succeed  it,  which  exhibits  ideas 
of  divine  truth  altogether  more  clear,  and  beyond  any  which 
he  had  gained  before  : — 

"  I  am  aware,  my  brethren,  that  in  those  doctrines  of 
grace  which  I  shall  feel  it  my  duty  to  preach,  there  will  be 
many  particulars  which  ever  have  and  ever  will  meet  the 
opposition  of  the  carnal  heart :  for  when  we  seek  to  hold  up 
men  to  themselves  as  they  are  by  nature,  the  picture  cannot 
fail  to  be  displeasing ;  and  when  we  preach  that  godly  sor- 
row which  brings  the  sinner  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and 
works  repentance  not  to  be  repented  of;  when  we  speak  of 
and  urge,  that  change  of  heart  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  is  essential  to  salvation,  every  evil  principle 
in  the  bosom  is  to  be  overcome  ;  pride  wdl  raise  the  stand- 
ard of  its  opposition,  and  fight  boldly  the  battle  of  its  master, 
and  it  is  grace  alone  which  can  conquer  it.  I  shall  strive  to 
preach  the  truth  without  offence  in  the  manner  ;  as  it  regards 
the  matter,  my  friends,  I  have  but  little  hope  that  it  will  fare 
better  with  me  than  it  always  has  with  others.  It  has  never 
been  cordially  received  till  grace  has  prepared  the  way." 

The  following  passage  fonns  the  conclusion  of  the  ser- 
mon as  it  was  preached  in  Hudson  i'— 

X) 


38  MEMOIROF 

"  I  trust,  brethren,  that  the  connexion  now  commenced 
will  give  rise  to  feelings  which  shall  render  my  services  not 
the  mere  discharge  of  duty,  but  the  exercise  of  friendship ; 
and  it  will  be  my  endeavour  so  to  order  my  conduct  and 
conversation  among  you,  that  I  may  gain,  not  only  the 
approbation  of  your  lips,  but  what  is  dearer,  what  is 
infinitely  more  valuable  to  the  heart  endued  with  the  least 
sensibility,  your  attachment  and  your  love. 

"  I  am,  at  least,  to  expect  your  cordial  co-operation  in  any 
thing  which  shall  tend  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  kingdom 
of  our  common  Master,  the  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
In  the  public  worship  in  the  sanctuary,  I  shall  expect  your 
attendance ;  in  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel,  your  devout 
participation  ;  and  above  all,  let  me  beseech  you,  that  when 
your  prayers  are  addressed  to  the  throne  of  grace,  you  re- 
member him  whose  constant  occupation  it  shall  be  to  labour 
for  your  good,  and  to  pray  to  God  for  your  temporal  and 
eternal  welfare  ;  so  that  when  the  great  Judge  shall  make 
up  his  account,  and  we  shall  all  meet  before  his  throne,  you 
will  be  able  to  answer  unto  God  for  the  strict  performance 
of  your  Christian  duties  ;  and  I,  in  the  joy  of  my  heart,  to^ 
exclaim,  '  Father,  these  are  they  which  thou  hast  given 
me.' " 

To  this,  with  some  important  alterations  also,  in  its  lan- 
guage, the  following  impressive  conclusion  was  added, 
when  the  sermon  was  preached  in  Fayetteville  : — 

« 

"To  that  period,  my  beloved  friends,  to  that  period  of 
deep  and  of  solemn  interest,  I  would  direct  your  attention ; 
for  there  the  everlasting  condition  of  our  souls  must  be 
finally  determined.  It  is  a  matter  not  more  serious  to  me 
than  it  is  to  you,  that  this  gospel  which  I  preach  is,  on  the 
authority  of  God,  established  as  a  savour  of  life  unto  life, 
or  of  death  unto  death.     If  you  receive  this  gospel  from 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  39 

my  mouth  as  but  the  idle  wind  which  you  regard  not  ;  if 
instead  of  seeking  to  profit  by  its  sacred  instructions,  you 
continue  careless  and  unconcerned,  oh !  what  an  awful  deficit 
must  there  be  in  your  final  settlement.  I  speak  it  in  the 
fear  of  my  soul,  that  this  gospel  which  I  preach  must 
appear  as  a  witness  against  those  who,  having  lived  under 
its  sound,  have  yet  died  without  the  experience  of  its 
saving  benefits.  Oh,  my  friends,  '  seek  ye  the  Lord  while 
he  may  be  found,  and  call  upon  him  while  he  is  near.' 

"  Do  but  earnestly  seek  an  interest  by  a  living  faith  in 
this  Jesus  Christ  whom  I  have  sought,  and  under  the  bless- 
ing of  God  will  yet  seek  to  preach,  and  all  will  be  well. 
The  Church  shall  be  edified,  and  walking  in  the  fear  of 
God,  and  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  multiplied  ; 
and  you,  redeemed,  and  sanctified,  and  saved,  by  this  same 
Jesus  and  his  grace,  shall  be  numbered  among  that  great 
multitude,  who,  having  gone  to  Zion  with  songs  and  ever- 
lasting joy,  shall  surround  the  throne,  and  the  theme  begun 
with  you  on  earth,  shall  be  perfected  in  heaven.  *  Blessing, 
and  honour,  and  glory,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.'  " 

In  the  comparison  of  these  extracts,  the  enlightened 
reader  will  not  fail  to  see,  and  to  mark  with  much  rejoicing, 
in  how  great  a  degree,  during  his  short  ministry  at  Hudson, 
his  views  of  truth  were  enlarged,  and  his  adaptation  to  the 
great  work  of  "teaching  and  preaching  Jesus  Christ,"  was 
improved.  For  this  important  change  we  cannot  but  look 
up  to  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  as  the  gi'eat  source  of  the 
inestimable  benefit,  and  ascribe  to  him  the  glory  of  thus 
teaching  and  qualifying  his  chosen  instrument  of  so  much 
ultimate  good  to  men.  The  progress  of  this  change  in  his 
views  of  truth,  and  the  severe  and  trying  discipline  by 
which?  through  the  blessing  of  God,  it  was  attained,  during 


40  MEMOIROF 

his  ministry  at  Hudson,  we  shall  be  able  to  mark  with  some 
distinctness  as  we  proceed. 

With  this  introductory  sermon,  he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  his  parochial  ministry.  He  was  far  too  young 
and  inexperienced,  to  be  entrusted  with  this  solemn  re- 
sponsibility. But  he  became  immediately  in  some  degree 
aware  of  the  importance  of  the  charge  which  he  had 
assumed,  and  he  laid  out  for  himself  a  scheme  of  labour  in 
the  fulfilment  of  it,  which  certainly  displayed  the  desire 
and  determination,  according  to  his  ability,  to  make  his 
ministry  useful  to  the  flock  under  his  care.  And  though 
there  was  much  in  his  deportment,  that  indicated  a  state  of 
mind  too  light  for  his  station,  and  wanting  in  that  serious- 
ness which  is  expected  in  every  professed  follower  of 
Christ,  and  yet  more  in  every  minister  of  the  gospel — 
much,  over  which,  the  spirit  of  an  experienced  servant  of 
the  Lord  would  have  mourned,  as  likely  to  prove  a  stum- 
bling block  in  the  way  of  others,  as  well  as  to  be  an  injury 
to  himself ;  there  was  much  also,  to  encourage  the  hope, 
that  he  would  be  made  eventually  an  important  instrument 
of  good ;  and  to  convince  all,  that  indolence  at  least,  was 
not  combined  with  levity  in  him.  He  was,  from  the  begin- 
ning of  his  ministry,  active,  and  willing  to  exert  himself,  in 
what  appeared  to  him  likely  to  be  useful.  And  had  he  met 
with  experienced  and  pious  friends,  who  could  bear  with  his 
infirmities,  and  rejoicing  over  what  the  Lord  was  doing  for 
him,  would  have  led  him  to  "  a  more  excellent  way,"  he 
might  have  been  saved  much  suffering,  and  at  a  much 
earlier  period  have  been  led  to  a  full  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

In  the  earliest  part  of  his  ministry,  he  established  Sun- 
day schools  in  the  Church,  and  opened  a  weekly  Bible 
class  for  persons  of  an  adult  age  to  be  instructed  by  himself. 
These  institutions,  which  have  since  become  so  extensive 
and  important,  were  at  that  time  almost  unknown.  There 
were  few  Sunday  schools  in  the  United  States  in  operation 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  41 

SO  early  as  1815,  and  still  fewer  Bible  classes  for  persons  of 
adult  years.  In  these  efforts  Mr.  Bedell  met  with  some 
opposition,  and  their  efficacy  was  much  disputed.  He 
persevered,  however,  in  his  valuable  plans,  and  was  gratified 
in  finding  very  happy  results  from  these  his  first  exertions 
for  the  congregation  committed  to  him.  When  his  subse- 
quent important  instrumentality  in  this  department  of 
ministerial  influence,  which  will  be  exhibited  in  his  suc- 
ceeding history,  is  considered,  it  cannot  but  be  interesting 
to  know  how  early  his  attention  was  called  to  it;  and  that 
as  his  mind  was  receivinof  lio-ht  in  the  truth  of  God,  his 
heart  was  expanding,  with  the  desire  to  communicate  the 
benefits  which  he  thus  gained,  to  others.  Indeed,  this  fact 
presented  one  of  the  most  lov^ely  and  attractive  features  of 
his  character,  through  his  whole  life.  There  was  an  open 
simplicity,  and  a  frank  desire  to  communicate  happiness 
to  others  in  every  way  possible  for  him,  which  strongly 
marked  his  disposition  from  his  youth  to  his  departure. 
And  though  at  first,  it  might  have  been  the  mere  expression 
of  native  feeling,  without  any  special  motive  considered, 
it  was  subsequently  converted  to  a  settled  principle  of  con- 
duct, and  being  sanctified  from  on  high,  it  was  fully 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  God  in  efiforts  for  the  spiritual 
good  of  man. 

When  he  settled  himself  in  Hudson,  there  seemed  to  be 
every  thing  about  him  in  his  native  character  calculated  to 
engage  the  attention  and  affection  of  friends,  and  to  render 
him  popular  in  his  intercourse  with  them,  though,  as  has 
been  remarked,  to  the  mind  that  had  been  taught  to  seek  for 
spirituality  of  heart  and  life  as  the  chief  attribute  of  the 
Christian,  and  of  the  pastor  of  souls,  there  was  a  deficiency 
in  him,  which  must  be  observed  with  deep  regret.  In 
describing  his  early  appearance,  a  gentleman  who  was 
one  of  the  wardens   of   the  Church  at  Hudson  at  the  time 

of  his  settlement,  writes  of  him  : — 

d2 


42  MEMOIROF 

"  When  Mr.  Bedell  first  came  among  us,  I  considered  him 
as  more  committed  to  me  than  any  other.  He  was  young,  and 
cheerful  and  gay  in  his  disposition.  I  gave  him  an  invitation 
to  take  up  his  abode  at  my  house  in  the  country,  free  of  ex- 
pense. This  he  declined,  and  took  his  residence  in  a  highly 
respectable  family  of  ladies  in  Hudson,  w^ith  whom  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  for  a  considerable  time.  His  conduct  ap- 
peared to  me  at  first  perfectly  exemplary  and  unexceptionable. 
And  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged  all  his  ministerial 
functions,  was  gratifying  to  his  congregation,  and  highly 
reputable  to  himself  as  a  man  of  talents  and  genius." 

In  this  exhibition  of  his  appearance  and  conduct  at  the 
commencement  of  his  ministry,  every  fact  accords  with 
the  spiritual  condition  in  which  he  then  was.  Awakened 
in  some  degree  to  a  sense  of  his  duty,  but  having  no  clear 
views  of  the  responsibilities  which  were  laid  upon  him, 
there  was  the  mingling,  which  was  a  natural  consequence 
of  such  a  state  of  mind,  of  effort  to  do  good  under  the 
impressions  which  were  made  upon  his  conscience,  and  of 
a  levity  of  character  under  the  dominion  of  a  mind  still 
unsanctified  by  grace.  He  was  industrious  in  his  ministry. 
His  preaching  was  frequent,  generally  as  often  as  three 
times  on  the  Lord's-day,  in  his  own  Church,  or  others  in 
the  vicinity.  Nor  was  it  altogether  without  effect.  The 
Church  flourished,  temporally,  to  an  important  extent; 
and  spiritually,  in  some  degree,  under  his  ministry.  His 
popularity  as  a  preacher,  for  one  so  young,  was  very  great, 
not  only  in  his  own  field,  but  also  in  New-York,  which 
city,  as  the  residence  of  his  family,  he  frequently  visited. 
His  visits  to  the  city  were  anticipated  by  many  with  great 
pleasure,  and  frequent  messages  were  received  by  him 
of  eager  inquiry  for  the  time  at  which  they  might  be 
expected.  He  became  in  his  early  preaching,  a  general 
favourite  in  the  churches  of  the  city,  which  were  always 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  43 

full,  and  sometimes  very  crowded  when  he  was  expected 
to  preach ;  and  his  popularity  increased,  as  his  ministry  after- 
wards became  more  decided  and  spiritual,  and  he  had  learn- 
ed "to  know  nothing  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified." 
But  while  the  mind  thus  rests  with  pleasure,  upon  some 
aspects  of  Mr.  Bedell's  early  character,  which  were  in  an 
uncommon  degree  amiable  and  attractive,  the  duty  of  the 
biographer,  will  not  allow  the  omission  of  results  flowing 
from  them,  which  were  in  all  respects  natural,  and  by  more 
considerate  observers  of  mankind,  to  have  been  expected. 
His  fondness  for  society,  and  his  cheerful  acquiescence  in 
the  plans  of  others  to  promote  according  to  their  own  views, 
the  pleasure  of  social  intercourse,  acting  under  the  guidance 
of  his  youthful  and  immature  judgment,  led  him  into  too  great 
a  conformity  to  their  habits  and  feelings  ;  which,  though  it  was 
finally  made  the  source  of  a  severe  and  useful  discipline  to  him, 
involved  him  in  many  obstacles  and  difficulties,  from  which 
more  discretion  and  holiness  of  heart  would  have  certainly 
released  him.  His  habits  of  expense  were  made  to  exceed 
his  ability  to  meet  them,  and  he  was  thus  harassed  with 
pecuniary  cares  which  long  distressed  and  incumbered  him. 
His  associations  with  young  men  whose  character,  from  their 
want  of  true  piety,  could  afford  him  no  benefit ;  and  whose 
injurious  influence,  from  this  simple,  but  most  important  de- 
ficiency, upon  his  feelings,  his  principles  and  his  ministry, 
was  very  apparent ; — associations  which  were  sought,  not  for 
the  purpose  of  communicating  spiritual  good,  but  for  the  at- 
tainment of  short-lived  and  thoughtless  gratification  ;  encom- 
passed him  with  most  effectual  temptations  to  depart  even  from 
the  standard  of  conduct  which  he  had  affixed  for  himself  in  en- 
tering upon  his  ministerial  course.  And  for  the  time  in  which 
he  yielded  to  the  unsettling  influence  which  was  thus  thrown 
around  him,  though  there  was  never  the  remotest  stain  of  im- 
morality upon  his  conduct,  there  was  an  inconsistency  between 
his  daily  deportment  and  his  manifest  duty,  which  the  pious 


44 


MEMOIR   OF 


observed  with  sorrow,  and  which  laid  up  also  much  sorrow 
for  himself. 

This  dark  cloud,  however,  was  of  short  duration.  It  soon 
passed  over,  and  a  most  beneficial  result  upon  his  character 
was  produced  through  its  instrumentality.  He  set  out  in 
his  own  strength  in  the  fulfilment  of  his  work,  and  he  was 
suffered  to  fall,  and  to  be  deeply  humbled  and  corrected,  that 
he  might  be  taught  his  own  weakness  and  the  necessity  of 
a  higher  and  better  guidance,  and  learn  to  take  up  the  cross 
to  follow  Jesus,  as  an  instrument  qualified  to  be  useful  to 
his  fellow-men.  Without  the  trial  and  experience  through 
which  he  thus  passed,  the  peculiar  and  popular  talents  be- 
stowed upon  him  might  have  been  brought  to  a  far  different 
issue  from  that  which  thev  did  attain,  and  have  borne  no 
other  fruit  than  pride  and  self-sufficiency.  Under  their  ope- 
ration however,  humbled  and  sorrowful,  he  sought  peace  for 
himself  in  a  Saviour's  love  and  power,  and  became  the 
cheerful  and  animated  herald  of  this  love  to  others. 

In  the  year  1816,  on  the  29th  of  October,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Penelope  Thurston,  of  Hudson.  Of  this 
lady,  though  she  still  survives  him,  it  is  but  duty  and  justice 
to  say,  that  God  thus  gave  to  him  a  most  faithful,  competent, 
and  affectionate  friend,  one  whose  kind  care  and  assiduous 
attention  were  successfully  devoted,  until  the  very  closing  of 
his  eyes  in  death,  to  the  promotion  of  his  usefulness,  the  in- 
crease of  his  comfort,  and  the  melioration  of  his  great  suffer- 
ings and  protracted  sickness  ;  and  whose  duties  in  this  con- 
nexion have  been  rewarded  with  the  undoubted  prolonging 
of  his  ministry,  with  the  high  estimation  of  his  friends,  and 
with  the  sure  approbation  of  his  Lord.  The  offspring  of 
this  marriage  are  a  son  and  daughter,  both  living,  and  worthy 
of  a  deep  interest  in  the  affections  and  prayers  of  the  many 
friends  who  so  much  and  so  justly  loved  their  lamented 
father. 

The  influence  of  this  event  in  the  life  of  Pvlr.  Bedell,  upon 


REV,    DR.    BEDELL.  45 

his  whole  subsequent  history,  was  very  important.  It  was 
certainly  made,  in  the  hand  of  God,  not  only  to  promote  his 
comfort  and  happiness,  but  also  to  increase  his  usefulness, 
and  to  alter  his  influence  in  the  ministry  to  a  most  happy 
degree.  In  connexion  with  it,  he  exhibited  the  peculiar 
attachment  which  he  had  for  Bishop  Hobart,  both  in  post- 
poning the  fufilment  of  his  wish  in  reference  to  it,  in  order 
that  the  Bishop  might  officiate  in  a  crisis  of  his  life  so  inter- 
esting to  him,  and  in  previously  addressing  him  upon  the 
subject. 

Under  date  of  Feb.  26,  1816,  he  thus  addressed  the  Bishop 
in  reference  to  it : —  \ 

"  It  was  my  intention  when  I  was  in  town  last,  to  have 
spoken  to  you  on  a  subject  in  which  I  am  deeply  concerned, 
and  on  which  I  feel  that  you  ought  to  have  been  consulted. 
But  really  I  knew  not  how  to  commence ;  and  a  feeling 
which  I  cannot  easily  describe,  induced  me  to  delay  till  it 
was  too  late.  You  will  perceive  that  I  allude  to  the  engage- 
ment which  now  exists  between  the  youngest  Miss  Thurston 
and  myself,  and  which  is  to  terminate  in  an  union,  I  trust, 
productive  of  our  mutual  happiness.  At  present,  prudential 
motives  will  delay  this,  but  as  there  is  a  prospect  of  raising  my 
salary  in  June  to  one  thousand  dollars,  I  think  there  will  be  no 
hazard  in  bringing  the  affair  to  a  conclusion  some  time  in 
October  next.  I  hope.  Sir,  though  you  were  not  consulted, 
that  you  will  view  this  circumstance  of  my  life  in  a  favour- 
able light,  and  I  am  certain,  did  you  know  the  lady,  you 
would  rejoice  in  my  good  fortune.  Your  advice,  if  neces- 
sary on  this,  as  well  as  on  every  other  subject,  I  would 
gladly  receive  and  attentively  consider,  for  I  deem  myself 
under  more  obligations  than  I  can  well  express,  for  the  in- 
numerable acts  of  friendship  you  have  performed.  You  have 
made  me  what  I  am.  And  looking  around  upon  the  errors 
and  misfortunes  of  some  of  my  brethren,  I  pray  that  your 


46 


MEMOIR   OF 


heart  may  never  have  to  lament  that  you  raised  me  to 
the  dignified  station  in  the  Church  which  I  now  occupy.  I 
beheve  that  I  can  truly  say  that  the  affairs  of  the  Church 
here  are  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  I  have  been  much 
more  among  my  people  than  formerly. 

"  With  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Hobart,  I  remain,  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  son  in  the  ministry, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

The  very  strong  expressions  of  gratitude  and  confidence 
towards  the  Bishop,  which  occur  in  this  letter,  show  the 
state  of  mind  jn  which  he  had  been  educated,  and  under  what 
strong  convictions  of  duty  and  truth  he  must  have  subse- 
quently acted,  w^hen  he  felt  not  only  obliged  to  differ  from 
him  in  judgment  upon  most  important  concerns,  but  also 
to  avow  this  difference,  and  to  act  in  accordance  with  it, 
in  the  leading  characteristics  of  his  future  ministry.  Yet 
to  this  stand  he  was  brought,  and  while  the  point  from 
whence  he  came,  is  thus  exhibited  in  the  preceding  letter, 
and  the  point  at  which  he  arrived,  will  be  seen  in  his  suc- 
ceeding history,  it  will  be  our  duty  now  to  consider  as 
distinctly  as  we  shall  be  able  to  do  it,  the  progress  through 
which  he  was  led  between  them. 

In  tracing  this  important  change  which  occurred  in  the  re- 
ligious views  and  plans  of  Mr.  Bedell  after  his  settlement  at 
Hudson,  some  facts  are  present  to  us  which  are  evidently 
marked  delineations  of  its  progress.  The  establishment  of  the 
American  Bible  Society  in  May,  1816,  was  one  occasion  on 
which  a  manifest  change  in  his  state  of  mind  was  developed. 
The  opposition  of  Bishop  Hobart  to  this  society,  from  the 
time  of  its  formation,  is  well  known.  It  is  no  part  of  my 
present  duty  to  consider  the  abstract  propriety  of  this 
opposition,  or  to  regard  it  any  further  than  as  a  fact,  the 
truth  of  which  of  course  will  not  be  questioned.  This 
opposition  led  to  a  temporary  controversy  of  considerable 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  *  47 

interest,  in  which  the  judgments  of  the  clergy  and  laymen 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  were  found  much  divided.  At 
the  first  occurrence  of  this  question,  the  opinions  of  Mr. 
Bedell  entirely  accorded  with  those  of  Bishop  Hobart  upon 
the  subject  involved.  A  further  examination  of  it,  how- 
ever, constrained  him  to  question  the  accuracy  of  his 
opinions,  and  furnished  the  first  occasion  of  hesitation  in 
him,  in  following  out  to  their  full  extent  the  judgments  of 
his  diocesan.  He  found  himself  here,  after  examination, 
compelled  to  differ  from  him,  and  it  may  serve  to  show  the 
peculiar  boldness  and  decision,  which  were  always  united 
with  his  amiable  and  passive  spirit,  that  he  was  prepared, 
on  this  important  question,  to  acknowledge  the  change  in 
his  views,  and  to  take  the  opposite  side,  to  one  in  whose 
judgment  he  had  so  much  confided,  and  whose  affection  he 
valued  so  highly.  But  to  this  stand  he  found  himself, 
through  the  grace  of  God,  which  was  guiding  him  on  to 
future  duty,  to  be  adequate  ;  and  the  circumstance  so  painful 
to  his  sensitive  spirit  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence,  was 
made  one  instrument  of  leading  him  to  a  still  farther  course 
of  independent  examination  for  himself.  The  result  of  this 
examination  was  the  gradual  and  entire  change  of  his  views, 
on  many  important  questions  and  subjects  in  religion,  to 
the  standard  to  which  they  were  ultimately  conformed. 

Another  circumstance,  which  is  remembered  by  his 
family  as  having  produced  a  very  strong  impression  upon 
his  mind,  and  as  having  exercised  a  decided  influence  in 
the  change  of  his  course  of  ministry,  and  of  his  associa- 
tions  in  the  Church,  was  the  mild  and  satisfactory  correction 
by  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  already  referred  to,  of  an  error 
into  which  he  had  fallen,  and  of  a  misrepresentation  which 
he  had  received  and  circulated,  in  regard  to  that  brother. 
This  explanation  introduced  the  development  of  other 
views  and  habits  of  thought  and  action  to  which  it  naturally 
led.     He  found  in  a  further  knowledge  of  the  ministry  and 


48  MEMOIROF 

character  of  many  of  the  clergy  who  had  been  strangers 
to  him,  or  whom  he  had  seen  only  with  the  eye  of 
prejudice,  and  whose  society  he  had  been  taught  to  avoid, 
an  adaptation  to  his  own  feelings,  and  to  his  opening  views 
of  truth,  which  immediately  attracted  him.  In  referring  to 
this  interview,  that  gentleman  says,  in  a  letter  from  which 
I  have  already  given  an  extract : — 

*'I  recollect  having  spoken  to  him  during  a  session  of 
the  General  Convention  many  years  ago,  about  a  statement 
which  I  was  informed  he  had  made  on  board  the  steamboat 
in  coming  from  New-York  to  Philadelphia,  that  I  had  held 
a  prayer-meeting  or  some  public  service  in  the  parish  of 
another  clergyman  without  his  consent,  and  had  especially 
prayed  for  the  conversion  of  the  Rector,  '  as  a  blind  leader  of 
the  blind.'  He  investigated  the  case,  and  found  the  state- 
ment which  he  had  been  made  the  instrument  of  propagating, 
to  be  an  unfounded  calumny.  The  conversation  which 
took  place  between  the  clergyman  referred  to,  and  Mr. 
Bedell  and  myself,  together  with  the  result  of  his  inquiries 
into  the  facts  of  the  case,  might,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
have  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  changing  his  views  of 
the  principles  and  men  '  every  where  spoken  against;'  as 
it  was  not  a  very  long  time  afterwards,  that  he  fully  and 
decidedly  espoused  these  views  as  his  own." 

These  distinctive  views  of  evangelical  truth,  the  great 
principles  of  the  Reformation,  he  did  afterwards  certainly 
fully  espouse  as  his  own.  At  that  time,  comparatively  few 
of  the  clergy  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  were  known  to 
proclaim  them  and  act  upon  them,  in  the  fulfilment  of  their 
ministry.  These  few  were  most  unjustly  regarded  as  the 
propagators  of  "  erroneous  and  strange  doctrines,"  and 
as  the  patrons  of  irregular  and  disorganizing  habits.  And 
their  names   were  mentioned,  and  their  conduct  spoken  of, 


REV*DR.    BEDELL.  49 

generally,  only  to  be  held  up  to  reproach.  This  was 
especially  the  fact,  in  the  circles  in  which  Mr.  Bedell  was 
accustomed  to  move.  It  required  in  him,  therefore,  peculi- 
arly strong  convictions  of  duty,  and  a  deep  sense  of  obliga- 
tion, as  well  as  a  clear  perception  of  what  was  right  and 
true,  to  lead  him  to  seek  for  his  associates,  men  whose 
names  had  been  connected  in  his  mind,  only  with  reproach ; 
and  to  adopt  as  his  own,  a  system  and  rule  of  ministry, 
which  he  had  been  always  taught  to  shun.  Let  God  be 
praised,  that  he  had  grace  given  to  him,  to  come  out,  as  an 
advocate  for  the  truth,  and  that  he  lived  himself  to  see,  the 
very  principles,  which  he  had  embraced  when  almost  alone, 
become  widely  and  triumphantly  spread  throughout  the 
Church. 

In  the  year  1817,  another  train  of  circumstances  occurred, 
which  were  made  intimately  connected  with  the  change 
through  which  his  mind  was  passing,  and  which  exercised 
a  most  important  influence  upon  the  whole  course  of  his 
subsequent  ministry.  He  found  after  the  increase  of  his 
expenses,  -which  his  new  situation  as  the  head  of  a  family 
required,  that  his  income  in  Hudson  was  insufficient  to  meet 
his  wants,  and  he  felt  obliged  to  seek  for  a  situation  which 
should  be  more  adequate  to  the  circumstances  in  which  he 
was  placed.  On  the  7th  of  March,  1817,  he  thus  addressed 
Bishop  Hobart  upon  this  subject: — 

"  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  It  is  rather  an  unpleasant  subject,  about  which  I  think 
it  necessary  to  write  to  you  at  this  time.  But  I  write  for 
advice.  Owing  to  the  peculiar  pressure  of  the  times,  bear- 
ing particularly  hard  upon  Hudson,  it  will  perhaps  be  im- 
possible for  the  congregation  to  raise  for  me  another  year 
one  thousand  dollars.  Indeed,  the  vestry  find  it  impossi- 
ble to  collect  from  the  people  the  stipulated  sum,  and  I 
am  put  to  considerable  inconvenience,  owing  to  the  defect 

E 


60  MEMOIROF 

in  the  present  payments.  Hudson  itself  is  upon  the  de- 
crease. In  the  spring  two  or  three  families  are  going  to 
the  western  country.  Some  of  those  who  took  pews  in  the 
Church  have  thought  best  to  join  themselves  to  a  preacher 
of  universal  salvation,  who  has  established  himself  here. 
The  head  of  one  church-family  is  dead,  and  that  of  another 
removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  by  this  both  the  families  are 
broken  up  and  lost  to  the  Church.  So  that  notwithstanding 
the  Church  has  been  added  to,  yet  the  spring  will  find  it 
diminished  by  four  or  five  families.  Although  I  have  every 
attachment  to  Hudson,  both  as  it  regards  myself,  and  in  con- 
sideration of  my  wife,  yet  I  deem  it  a  duty,  if  any  better  situa- 
tion can  be  obtained,  not  to  neglect  it ;  for,  unless  the  people 
here  continue  me  the  salary  of  one  thousand  dollars  and  pay 
it  punctually,  it  will  be  utterly  impossible  to  support  my  fami- 
ly. I  should  be  particularly  sorry  to  leave  Hudson,  because, 
though  perhaps  I  ought  not  to  say  it,  yet  my  popularity  both 
as  a  preacher  and  a  man  is  evidently  increasing.  But  never- 
theless, I  wish  your  friendly  advice  upon  the  subject,  and 
your  interest,  if  I  must  leave  here,  to  favour  me  in  procuring 
some  more  eligible  situation.  Though  I  should  be  more  re- 
luctant than  I  can  well  express  to  be  obliged  to  quit  your 
diocese,  yet  if  no  situation  is  to  be  obtained  in  this  state,  I 
should  be  pleased  if  you  would  take  into  consideration  the 
propriety  of  my  taking  some  steps,  as  it  regards  the  vacant 
parish  of  Hartford,  (Conn.)  Lest,  however,  I  should  be  pre- 
cipitate, I  will  do  nothing  contrary  to  your  advice,  by  which 
I  shall  always  deem  it  an  honour  and  a  happiness  to  be 
guided. 

"  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours, 

*'G.  T.  Bedell." 

The  answer  of  the  Bishop  to  this  communication,  if  any 
answer  was  returned,  is  not  in  my  possession.  It  was 
manifestly  not  such  as  to  meet  the  wants  of  Mr.  Bedell. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  51 

He  was  still  desirous  and  determined  to  remove  to  some 
other  field  of  duty,  and  again  on  the  26th  of  June,  1817,  he 
addressed  another  letter  to  the  Bishop  upon  the  subject,  as 
follows  : — 

*'  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"It  is  with  feelings  of  the  utmost  regret  that  I  am  obliged 
to  express  to  you  my  final  determination  to  quit  this  place, 
if  any  other  situation  can  be  obtained,  even  of  less  apparent 
advantages.  Occupied  as  I  know  you  are,  with  the  higher 
concerns  of  the  Church,  yet  the  solicitude  you  have  always 
manifested  for  my  welfare,  emboldens  me  to  obtrude  my 
personal  concerns  upon  your  attention;  and  you  will  not 
blame  me  when  I  explain  to  you  the  reasons  which  have 
induced  me  to  make  the  determination.  I  was  induced  upon 
the  raising  of  my  salary  to  one  thousand  dollars,  to  marry, 
and  the  promise  was  given  me  that  this  should  be  paid 
with  punctuality.  I  feel  perfectly  convinced  that  upon 
this  sum,  regularly  paid,  I  could  here  support  myself  quite 
decently,  but  the  money  which  has  been  paid  has  come 
to  me  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  it  almost  useless. 
These  circumstances  have  arisen  from  the  peculiar  disadvan- 
tages under  which  this  place  labours,  as  it  regards  money, 
the  embarrassments  of  both  the  banks,  and  their  withholding 
discounts  from  every  body.  I  do  not  complain  of  the  vestry, 
for  they  have  made  every  exertion  in  their  power  to  collect  the 
moneys  due  them,  but  the  people  are  so  backward  that  they 
themselves  are  discouraged.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  if  I  go 
away,  I  shall  leave  the  Church,  as  it  regards  numbers  in  a 
much  better  condition  than  I  found  it,  and  as  I  stated  in  my 
former  letter  that  my  popularity  and  usefulness  is  increasing, 
but  all  will  not  avail  so  long  as  the  pressure  for  money,  in- 
volves both  me  and  the  people  in  various  difficulties.  These, 
Sir,  are  my  reasons  for  wishing  to  leave  this  place  and  for 
^pplyii)g  to  you  for  advice  and  assistance  in  the  furtherance 


52  MEMOIROF 

of  this  object.  I  am  willing  to  go  to  any  place  where  there 
is  a  prospect  of  being  able  to  support  myself,  for  here  I  ap- 
prehend it  is  totally  obstructed. 

"  Trust  me,  my  dear  Sir,  that  it  is  no  spirit  of  change 
which  has  induced  me  to  make  this  determination,  and  it 
would  produce  far  greater  uneasiness  in  my  mind  than  I 
now  feel,  should  I  be  obliged  to  leave  this  diocese.  Doubt- 
less from  your  knowledge  of  the  situation  of  the  Church  in 
this  state  and  in  the  United  States  you  can  give  me  advice 
of  the  most  valuable  nature,  as  it  regards  the  course  I  had 
best  pursue ;  and  I  trust,  from  the  assiduity  with  which  I 
have  pursued  my  studies  since  I  have  been  here,  that  I 
have  prepared  myself  for  almost  any  situation  which  can 
be  offered.  My  studies,  together  with  the  perplexities  of 
my  situation  have,  I  am  afraid,  tended  to  the  detriment  of 
my  health,  and  I  deem  it  of  essential  importance  that  some 
speedy  arrangement  be  made.  You  will,  therefore,  my 
dear  Sir,  favour  me  with  an  answer  to  this  letter  as  soon 
as  you  conveniently  can,  for  I  am  in  hopes  that  you  may 
know  of  some  situation  in  which  my  prospects  can  be 
bettered  ;  and  though  on  account  of  my  wife,  who  is  dis- 
tressed beyond  measure  at  the  idea  of  leaving  here,  I  feel 
more  than  commonly  unpleasant  on  the  occasion,  yet  the 
circumstances  which  you  have  just  seen,  and  which  are  be- 
yond my  control,  force  me  to  the  determination. 

"I  am.  Dear  Sir,  yours, 

^'  G.  T.  Bedell." 

It  had  always  been  the  ardent  and  cherished  wish  of 
himself  and  his  father's  family,  that  he  might  gain  an 
ultimate  settlement  in  the  ministry  in  the  city  of  New-York, 
the  residence  of  his  large  circle  of  family  relations.  Dur- 
ing the  autumn  of  1817,  the  prospect  of  gratifying  this 
wish,  appeared  to  be  near  and  certain,  and  he  looked 
forward  with  much  pleasure,  to  the  door  which  seemed  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  53 

be  opening  before  him.  The  following  letter  from  Mr. 
Bedell  to  Bishop  Hobart  will  properly  introduce  this  sub- 
ject, the  result  of  which  furnished  him  such  bitter  disap- 
pointment, and  painful  discipline ;  and  will  describe  the 
situation,  to  which  his  attention  and  his  hopes  were  directed. 

"  Hudson,  Oct.  14,  1817. 

"  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

*'  Several  times  I  have  made  an  attempt  to  write  to  you, 
but  have  always  been  deterred  by  the  fear  that  I  might  be  en^ 
croaching  too  much  on  the  kindness  you  have  always  mani- 
fested to  me.  Necessity,  however,  must  triumph  over  fear,  and 
I  proceed  to  write  you  on  a  subject  which  is  deeply  interesting 
to  me.  I  must  leave  Hudson,  and  I  have  candidly  told  the  ves- 
try my  reasons.  The  subject  upon  which  I  wish  particularly  to 
address  myself  to  you  is  the  vacant  situation  lately  supplied 
by  Mr.  Berrian.*  When  I  was  in  New-York,  I  frequently 
heard  of  conversations  among  several  of  the  vestry  as  it 
regarded  myself,  and  I  should  have  mentioned  the  subject  to 
you,  had  it  not  occurred  to  my  mind,  that  from  the  circum- 
stance of  your  suggesting  Binghampton  and  other  places, 
you  either  thought  me  unfit  for  the  station,  or  not  likely  to 
get  it.  Since  my  return  to  Hudson,  I  have  not  heard  a 
syllable  on  the  subject,  and  the  anxiety  of  my  mind  urges 
me  to  wish  to  know  whether,  as  it  regards  the  situation  in 
Trinity  Church,  I  can  have  your  approbation.  Without 
it  I  never  will  think  of  even  wishing  that  I  might  be  called. 
I  know  full  well  that  the   situation  is  not  a  very  eligible 

one,  because  I  had  heard  from  Mr.  C ,  that  he  had 

understood  they  only  meant  to  call  for  a  year,  and  to  give 
a  salary  of  no  more  than  one  thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
dollars.     My  reasons  for  washing  the  situation,  apparently 

*  Then  assistant  minister  of  Trinity  Church,  absent  in  Europe, 
now  the  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y. 

E  2 


54  3IEM0IR0F 

SO  disadvantageous,  are  exactly  these — that  I  think  it 
absolutely  necessary,  not  only  on  my  own  account,  but  on 
account  of  the  Church,  to  remove  from  Hudson.  I  do  beg 
you,  if  you  can  consistently  Avith  your  duty,  to  recom- 
mend me  for  this  situation.  I  know  it  is  asking  a  great 
deal,  but  I  feel  also  that  I  am  unpleasantly  situated,  and 
that  the  call  to  New-York,  for  one  year,  would  remove  a 
burden  from  my  mind ;  and  I  am  persuaded  that  I  could 
discharge  my  duty  with  a  zeal  which  shall  give  you  satis- 
faction. 

"  I  shall  leave  here  on  Tuesday  next  for  New-York,  so 
as  to  be  at  Convention  on  Wednesday.  I  am  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  be  able  to  be  about  without  any  inconvenience, 
and  to  preach  as  usual. 

"  I  remain,  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir,  yours, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

The  reply  of  the  Bishop  to  this  communication,  I  have 
not  seen.  It  is  probable  no  written  reply  was  made.  Im- 
mediately after  this,  he  passed  a  night  in  Hudson,  and  visited 
Mr.  Bedell  at  his  own  house.  From  the  personal  conversa- 
tions which  he  held  with  him  in  the  presence  of  his  family,  Mr. 
Bedell  derived  such  encouragement  to  hope  for  the  station 
which  he  desired,  as  to  excite  a  full  confidence  in  his  mind, 
that  it  would  be  certainly  secured  to  him,  and  to  lead  him  to 
enter  immediately  upon  the  arrangements,  which  were 
necessary  for  his  removal.  His  friends  in  New-York 
participated  in  the  encouragement  and  the  confidence  which 
he  had  received.  His  sister  thus  writes  in  reference  to  the 
expectation  which  they  had  formed,  and  the  grounds  upon 
which  they  had  been  led  to  found  it. 

*'  I  never  saw  Bishop  Hobart's  letter,  but  I  always  under- 
stood that  he  wrote  one,  desiring  Townsend  to  resign  at  Hud- 
son.   About  the  time  that  Townsend  apprised  us  of  the  good 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  55 

news,  Bishop  Hobart  called  to  see  us.  The  conversation  is  as 
fresh  this  moment  in  my  memory,  as  if  it  had  taken  place  only 
last  week.  After  he  had  spent  some  time  in  conversing  with 
me,  about  the  comfort  and  pleasure  it  would  give  us  all,  to  have 
him  in  New-York,  he  said,  he  had  no  doubt  he  would  get 
there,  he  felt  he  had  influence  enough  with  the  vestry  to 
get  him  into  Trinity  Church.  It  appears  to  me,  I  can 
almost  see  him  now,  jump  up  in  his  lively  and  pleasant 
manner,  and  repeat,  '  Yes,  I  think  I  can  manage  it,  I  think 
the  vestry  will  call  him.  I  have  some  influence  with  them.' 
These  were  the  words  he  used.  He  moreover  said,  so 
sure  was  he  that  it  would  be  done,  that  he  had  advised 
Townsend  to  prepare  his  people  for  it.  This  is  the  sub- 
stance, if  not  his  precise  language  in  the  whole." 

The  following  statement  from  the  gentleman  before 
spoken  of,  as  one  of  the  wardens  of  the  Church  in  Hudson, 
concurs  with  the  impressions  which  Mr.  Bedell  and  his 
friends  had  gained,  from  their  knowledge  of  Bishop  Hobart's 
wishes  and  designs  as  expressed  to  them.  It  may  also 
possibly  indicate  one  source  of  the  reasons  for  the  Bishop's 
change  of  determination  and  feeling  in  regard  to  the  re- 
moval of  Mr.  Bedell,  which  had  been  under  consideration. 
The  conversation,  which  is  referred  to,  at  this  distance  of 
time,  as  taking  place  in  the  summer  of  1817,  undoubtedly 
occurred,  on  the  return  of  Bishop  Hobart  from  the  very 
journey  during  which  he  had  held  the  conversation  with 
Mr.  Bedell  already  referred  to  in  October,  1817. 

"In  the  summer  of  1817,  I  met  Bishop  Hobart  on 
board  a  steam-boat  on  his  return  from  a  western  excursion. 
In  the  course  of  conversation,  the  Bishop  mentioned  that  he 
had  been  requested  by  some  members  of  the  vestry  of 
Trinity  Church,  to  make  an  application  to  Mr.  Bedell,  to 
ascertain,  whether  it  would  be  pleasant  to  him  to  receive  a 


56  MEMOIROF 

call  as  assistant  in  Trinity  Church  ;  that  such  an  application 
had  been  made  ;  that  Mr.  Bedell  had  expressed  himself 
well  pleased,  and  he  believed  a  call  would  be  the  conse- 
quence. I  expressed  peculiar  pleasure  at  the  prospect  of 
Mr.  Bedell's  promotion,  and  the  hope  that  he  would  be 
called.  This  appeared  to  excite  surprise  on  the  part  of  the 
Bishop,  and  he  inquired  of  me  the  cause  which  could  in- 
duce me  to  hope  to  get  rid  of  Mr.  Bedell.  I  at  once  replied, 
that  Mr.  Bedell  had  fallen  into  bad  habits  and  practices ; 
and  I  thought  he  required  the  watchful  eye  and  superin- 
tendance  of  the  father  of  the  Church ;  that  if  placed  under 
his  peculiar  charge  and  watchful  care,  I  trusted  he  would 
become  an  useful  member,  and  an  ornament  of  the  Church 
to  which  he  belonged  ;  but  that  if  left  to  himself  he  would 
be  an  unfortunate  failure." 

The  "  bad  habits  and  practices,"  to  which  reference 
is  here  made,  the  same  gentleman  describes  in  another 
portion  of  the  same  letter  ;  a  part  of  them,  I  have  already 
presented  to  the  reader. 

*'  Some  time  in  the  year  1815, 1  believe,  he  associated  him- 
self with  several  young  gentlemen  in  Hudson,  and  hired  a 
house,  and  commenced  keeping  bachelor's  hall.  I  condemned 
the  connexion,  and  apprehended  danger  to  my  young  friend, 
and  once  cautioned  him  upon  the  subject.  I  soon  discovered 
in  Mr.  Bedell  a  departure  from  his  former  course  of  public 
duty,  and  a  negligence  in  the  composition  of  his  sermons. 
I  discovered  that  his  expenses  exceeded  his  means,  and 
that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  borrowing  from  the  members  of 
his  congregation.  The  congregation  had  become  much 
dissatisfied  with  him,  and  it  required  a  considerable 
effort  to  suppress  the  expression  of  their  feelings.  I  stated 
(to  Bishop  Hobart)  most,  perhaps  all  these  circumstances ; 
and  also  stated  this.     A  Lutheran  congregation,  about  six 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  57 

miles  from  Hudson,  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  unite  with 
the  Church,  and  their  clergyman  frequently  called  on  me, 
and  expressed  a  desire  that  Mr.  Bedell  should  occasionally 
preach  for  them.  The  consent  of  the  vestry  was  obtained, 
and  Mr,  Bedell  preached  for  them  several  times.  I  at- 
tended to  lead  the  responses,  and  distributed  some  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  Prayer-books.  On  one  of  these  occasions, 
Mr.  Bedell  informed  me,  as  we  were  going  to  the  Church, 
that  he  should  avail  himself  of  a  missionary's  license,  by 
omitting  a  portion  of  the  regular  services  of  the  Church. 
To  this  I  remonstrated.  But  he  persevered,  and  I  believe, 
thus  terminated  the  whole  concern." 

Under  the  circumstances  in  which  Mr.  Bedell  was  then 
placed,  the  hope  of  this  invitation  to  New- York,  was  in  his 
view  in  a  very  high  degree,  attractive  and  valuable.  He 
yielded  to  what  he  understood  to  be  a  sufficient  ground 
for  action  in  the  case,  and  at  once  commenced  the  arrange- 
ments for  his  removal.  Although  the  situation  to  which  he 
now  looked,  was  a  temporary  one,  there  was  the  prospect 
with  it,  that  it  might  lead  to  something  desirable,  which 
should  be  permanent.  He  accordingly  resigned  his  charge 
at  Hudson,  and  occupied  himself  in  settling  his  domestic  con- 
cerns, in  preparation  for  an  immediate  departure  to  New- 
York. 

But  while  his  hopes  appeared  to  be  so  near  their  full  accom- 
plishment, some  information  which  had  been  given  to  the 
Bishop,  wholly  concealed  from  him,  entirely  changed  the 
Bishop's  views,  in  regard  to  the  plan  proposed  for  him,  and 
his  course  towards  him.  Under  date  of  Nov.  6,  1817,  Mr. 
Bedell  wrote  to  the  Bishop,  manifestly  in  reply  to  intima- 
tions which  had  been  given  to  him  of  this  attempt  to  alienate 
from  him  the  good  feeling  of  his  early  friend,  in  which  letter, 
after  again  recounting  and  explaining  all  his  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances and  difficulties,  he  says : — 


58  MEMOIROF 

*'  I  feel,  Sir,  that  in  many  things  I  have  acted  imprudently. 
I  have  erred  much  through  want  of  knowledge.  But  my 
conscience  is  clear  from  any  thing  like  such  misrepresenta- 
tion. I  have  bitterly  felt  my  imprudence  and  want  of 
knowledge,  and  I  trust  by  my  earnest  prayers,  I  have  been 
taught  some  lessons  of  value  from  my  experience.  But 
should  I  lose  your  good  opinion,  I  should  feel  it  more 
sensibly  than  all  the  rest. 

"  With  every  sentiment  of  respect, 

"I  am,  Sir,  yours,  &c. 

*'G.  T.  Bedell." 


On  the  next  day  after  this  was  written,  he  received  a 
letter  from  the  Bishop,  stating  as  a  final  determination  in 
this  matter,  that  something  had  occurred,  which  rendered 
the  contemplated  removal  to  New-York,  wholly  inexpedient. 
To  this  letter,  the  reply  below  was  immediately  sent,  and 
when  the  ardour  of  his  youth  is  considered,  and  the  exces- 
sive disappointment  of  his  long  cherished  hopes,  which  he 
was  required  to  meet,  is  fairly  taken  into  view,  the  peculiar 
strength  of  its  expressions  will  not  be  surprising.  He 
was  contending  with  some  secret  foe,  and  he  found  the 
power  of  this  opposing  influence  but  too  irresistible,  in 
alienating  from  him  the  confidence  of  the  Bishop,  and 
apparently  destroying  all  his  plans  for  usefulness  and  happi- 
ness in  life.  But  from  what  source  this  opposition  and 
misrepresentation  came,  or  what  was  its  nature,  though  he 
had  afterwards  much  reason  to  suspect,  he  was  never  able 
accurately  to  determine.  The  Great  Shepherd,  however, 
who  was  guiding  him  in  all  his  ways,  overruled  even  this 
excessive  disappointment  and  mortification,  for  the  most  im-- 
portant  good. 


rev.  dr.  bedell.  60 

"Hudson,  Nov.  7,  1817. 
"  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  I  have  this  moment  received  a  line  from  you  by  Mr. 
Osborn,  which  has  added  much  to  the  pressure  which  has 
long  been   weighing   on  my   spirits,   and  almost   crushed 
every  hope,  which,  from  the  conversations  I  have  had  with 
you,  I  had  dared  to  cherish.     I  understood  that  it  was  in  your 
power  to  control  the  business  as  you  pleased,  and  trusting 
to  that,  I  have  spoken  on  the  subject  of  my  going  to  New- 
York,   for   a  few   months,  and  my  reputation  must  sustain 
an  irreparable  injury  from  the  failure  of  any  such  arrange- 
ment.    So   deeply  do  I  feel  the  truth  of   this,  that  rather 
than  not  be  in  New- York,  this  winter,  I  will  do  the  duty 
if  the  vestry  will  merely  pay  my  board  to  my  father,  and 
if  they  are  not  willing  to  do  that,  I  will  even  come  without 
expecting  one   cent  in  remuneration — at  any  rate,  it  is  my 
determination  to  spend  the  winter  in  New-York,  that  I  may 
be   able  to   look   out  for  some  place,  and  if  none  other  can 
be  procured,  I  will  bury  myself  in  the  wilds  of  our  western 
states,  and  if  possible,  survive  the  wreck  of  my  fond,  though 
I  fear,  vain  expectations.     I  have  been  led  on  to  beUeve, 
that  the  matter  was  by  no  means  doubtful,  and  I  have  made 
arrangements   for  moving  from  this  place.     If  things  take 
the  course  which  I  fear  they  will,  I  shall  have  no  desire  to 
remain   in  this  state,  but  will  remove  as  far  from  the  scene 
of  my  disgrace   (for  such  I  shall  consider  it,)  as  possible. 
I  shall  ever  be  grateful  to  you.  Sir,  for  the  part  which  you 
have   hitherto   taken  in  my  welfare,  and  I  still  look  up  to 
you  in  some  measure  to  promote  my  future  felicity,  but  my 
feelings    have   been  dreadfully  wrought  upon,  and  though 
my    pride   revolts  from  ever  expressing,  how  deeply  I  feel 
upon   the   subject,   yet   the  consideration   of  my  wife  and 
family   powerfully   induces   me  to  express  the  wish  that  I 
may    still    have   the    situation.     The   expectation   is  also 
cherished  by   my   father  and  sisters,  and  their  feelings  will 


60  MEMOIROF 

be  lacerated  by  the  intelligence.  In  my  present  situation, 
Sir,  I  am  not  fit  to  write  much.  I  am  almost  overpowered 
by  the  information  given  in  your  letter.  I  see  my  character 
in  danger  of  being  irreparably  injured.  I  see  my  prospects 
blasted.  But  I  must  not  run  on.  If  I  live  I  shall  be  at 
my  father's  by  the  21st  of  this  month,  be  the  issue  what 
it  may  ;  and  as  soon  as  my  wound,  which  is  healing  tolerably 
well,  will  permit  me  to  travel,  I  will  commit  my  wife 
and  child  to  Him  who  will  take  them  under  his  protection 
and  care,  and  praying  for  His  guidance,  seek  my  fortune. 

"  I  shall  beexceedingly  happy  to  hear  the  advice  of * 

but  no  advice  can  be  given  which  can  heal  the  wound 
which  has  been  made  upon  my  feelings.  I  must  leave 
Hudson,  because  I  conceive  that  in  many  respects  I  have 
been  injured  by  a  residence  in  this  place. 

*'  I  see  no  way  in  which  my  reputation  can  remain  unin* 
jured  and  my  feelings  at  all  consulted,  unless  I  should  get  the 
situation  which  I  had  expected.  If  you  can  recommend  me 
to  preach  for  any  thing  or  for  nothing,  I  will  consider  my- 
self as  most  essentially  obliged  to  you,  and  pledge  myself  to 
retire  after  the  six  months,  to  any  tolerable  living.  If  this 
cannot  be  done,  I  see  but  one  way  to  act,  to  reside  in  the 
city  at  my  father's  until  I  can  find  a  situation, 

*'  I  send  this  letter,  and  upon  the  answer  depends  the  most 
serious  consequences  to  me.  My  only  regrets  are  the 
unpleasant  consequences  which  will  result  to  my  friends 
and  family. 

"With  every  wish  for  your  happiness  and  prosperity, 

"  I  remain,  Dear  Sir,  yours, 

"G.  T.  Bedell." 

"  Since  writing  this,  I  have  thought  that  the  representations 
probably    made   to    you  by   some  person  inimical  to  my 

*  The  gentleman  from  whose  letter,  extracts  have  been  given  above. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  61 

interests,  especially  in  the  matter  on  which  my  sister  wrote 
to  me,  have  produced  a  determination  not  to  act  in  my  favour. 
I  had  much  rather  this  would  be  the  case  than  any  other 
reason,  because  I  know  that  you  have  been  falsely  informed, 
and  my  conscience  is  clear.  However  I  may  frequently 
have  erred  in  judgment,  I  feel  no  fear  from  the  strictest 
scrutiny  into  the  motives  which  have  actuated  my  conduct. 
I  hope  that  these  things  may  not  so  affect  my  spirits  as  to 
injure  my  health.  If  that  is  but  spared,  I  can  weather  any 
storm." 

By  this  disappointment,  Mr.  Bedell  was  thrown  into  a 
very  painful  situation.  And  with  his  sensitive  and  sanguine 
temperament,  he  felt  most  deeply  under  the  mortification 
which  it  laid  upon  him.  In  the  following  letter  to  his  sister 
of  the  same  date,  he  expressed  his  own  feelings  to  one  who 
well  knew  how  to  sympathise  with  all  his  sorrows. 

"Hudson,  Nov.  7,  1817. 

"  I  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Bishop,  which  has 
hurt  my  feelings  exceedingly.  He  told  me  the  matter  was 
pretty  much  at  his  own  disposal,  and  conversed  with  me  in 
such  a  manner,  as  to  render  the  call  in  my  mind  reduced 
to  a  certainty.  I  have  written  to  him,  and  told  him  my 
determination  to  spend  the  winter  in  New-York,  be  the 
issue  what  it  may.  I  shall  probably,  in  the  event  that  I  do 
not  get  the  place,  go  to  the  southward  as  soon  as  I  shall  be 
well  enough  to  travel.  I  think  my  feelings  have  been  very 
much  sported  with,  in  first  giving  me  encouragement,  and 
then  damping  it,  by  telling  me,  that  the  vestry  wished  to 
have  the  place  supplied  by  some  of  the  clergy  in  the 
neighbourhood.  You  no  doubt  feel  anxious  about  the 
result  of  this  business;  and  the  Bishop  may  have  been 
prejudiced  against  me  by  somebody,  but  you  may  rest 
assured  that  I  feel  satisfaction  in  the  conviction,  that  what- 


62  MEMOIROF 

ever  may  be  the  result,  I  shall  have  nothing  to  blame  myself 
with.  After  what  has  passed  and  even  preparations  have 
been  made,  for  my  coming  to  New-York,  my  reputation  de- 
pends upon  my  being  called,  and  I  have  told  the  Bishop  that 
it  is  in  his  power  to  manage  the  matter  if  he  pleases.  I 
never  will  bring  deserved  disgrace  upon  myself,  nor  upon 
any  of  my  family." 

It  is  a  source  of  much  regret,  that  we  have  not  the  letters 
of  the  Bishop  to  Mr.  Bedell,  in  a  crisis  so  important  in  his 
life.  As  it  is,  we  are  left  to  gather  the  contents  and  objects 
of  them,  from  the  character  of  the  replies  which  were  made 
by  him.  On  the  14th  of  November,  he  again  wrote  to  the 
Bishop  in  reference  to  an  answer  which  he  had  received  to 
his  letter  of  the  7th.  The  nature  of  that  answer  will  be 
readily  understood  from  this  letter.  The  Bishop  evidently 
wrote  in  a  kind  and  affectionate  manner,  and  advised  him  to 
remain  still  at  Hudson. 

"  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

*'  At  present  I  have  but  few  words  to  say.  I  feel  disposed 
to  acquiesce  in  the  advice  you  gave  me,  and  since  my 
friends  here  have  heard  the  result  of  the  proceedings  in 
New-York,  they  feel  for  the  unpleasantness  of  my  situation, 
and  have  all  thought  best  that  I  shall  stay.  I  feel  grateful 
to  the  people  here,  for  the  concern  they  have  shown  in  my 
behalf,  and  am  confident  the  vestry  will  request  me  to  con- 
tinue with  them.  I  must  confess  to  you.  Sir,  that  I  feel  very 
sore,  as  it  regards  the  treatment  I  have  experienced,  and 
that  there  are  some  mysteries  about  the  business  which,  as 
I  cannot,  I  had  best  not  attempt  to  unravel.  For  the  present, 
however,  I  intend  to  content  myself,  and  cheerfully  to  sub- 
mit to  my  lot. 

"  The  reproofs  in  your  last  letter  I  cannot  but  consider 
as  just,  and  that  I  deserve  them.     For  the  future  you  shall 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  63 

never  have  a  complaint  of  me  on  that  score.  That  I  have 
been  unjustly  represented  to  you  in  many  things,  I  know ; 
hereafter  you  shall  find  no  fault  with  me  for  any  thing 
which  it  is  possible  for  me  to  avoid.  The  reproofs  of  a 
friend  shall  not  only  be  found  faithful  but  effectual.  I 
trust,  if  I  am  precipitate  and  wanting  in  judgment  and  dis- 
cretion, I  am  not  incorrigible ;  and  if  you  will  continue  to 
give  me  your  advice,  you  shall  find  me  ready  to  profit  by  it. 
That  my  feelings  have  been  grievously  hurt,  I  must  not 
deny.  I  would  write  more,  but  my  situation  has  so  far  over- 
come me  as  to  induce  a  fever.  I  hope,  by  future  more  cau- 
tious conduct,  to  regain  your  good  opinion. 

"  Yours,  Dear  Sir, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

In  a  review  of  all  the  preceding  circumstances,  it  appears 
manifest,  that  the  alteration  of  Bishop  Hobart's  views  in 
reference  to  Mr.  Bedell,  arose  from  some  unfavourable  in- 
formation which  he  had  received  in  reference  to  his  ministry 
and  conduct  at  Hudson.  What  the  information  was,  and 
from  what  source  it  proceeded,  he  never  subsequently 
inquired  of  the  Bishop,  and  it  is  left  now  wholly  to  our 
conjecture.  But  however  we  may  feel  disposed  to  lament 
the  occurrence,  as  its  instruments  were  concerned,  as  a 
dispensation  of  God,  we  shall  see  most  valuable  results 
flowing  from  it,  affecting  his  whole  character,  and  the  whole 
course  of  his  future  ministry.  His  embarrassment  was 
painful  and  mortifying.  But  he  did  not  allow  it  to  affect  in 
any  way,  his  feeling  toward  the  Bishop,  or  his  intercourse 
with  him.  Though  he  became  subsequently  so  widely 
separated  from  him,  in  opinion  and  conduct,  in  reference  to 
many  questions  which  have  been  agitated  in  the  Church, 
he  maintained  always  the  most  friendly  and  affectionate 
correspondence  with  him,  nor  was  he  ever  heard  to  speak  of 
him,  but    with  kindness  and  respect.     Ignorant  as  we  now 


64  MEMOIROF 

are,  of  the  kind  of  information  which  the  Bishop  re- 
ceived in  reference  to  Mr.  Bedell,  it  is  not  only  vain,  but 
wrong,  to  pronounce  any  opinion  upon  the  justice  of  the 
course  which  he  pursued.  He  was  governed  in  it, 
undoubtedly,  by  his  own  views  of  duty,  and  probably  under 
the  circumstances  before  him,  acted  with  propriety  and 
wisdom.  He  subsequently  stated  to  the  friends  of  Mr. 
Bedell,  that  he  had  not  intended  to  give  him  the  full 
assurance  of  obtaining  the  situation  referred  to,  which  had 
been  gathered  from  his  conversations  with  him.  And  it  is 
quite  possible,  that  in  Mr.  Bedell's  ardour  and  solicitude,  he 
calculated  more  strongly  and  decidedly  upon  the  success  of 
his  hopes,  than  the  Bishop's  communications  really  warrant- 
ed him  to  do. 

But  from  the  plain  history  of  the  facts  as  they  occurred, 
which  I  have  felt  myself  obliged  to  give,  it  is  very  manifest, 
that  Bishop  Hobart's  first  intentions  were  in  entire  accord- 
ance with  Mr.  Bedell's  wishes,  and  that  the  different  issue 
to  which  they  came,  was  the  result  of  information  subse- 
quently communicated  to  him.* 

*  The  reason  which  has  led  me  to  dwell  so  minutely  upon  this  oc- 
currence in  Mr.  Bedell's  life,  has  been  not  only  the  vast  and  important 
influence  which  I  find  that  it  exercised  upon  his  character,  but  also 
the  conviction  that  the  view  which  was  given  of  it,  in  the  first  edition 
of  the  Memoir,  was  not  entirely  accurate.  This  reason  will  be  better 
explained  by  the  following  letter  written  by  me  to  the  Editor  of  the 
"  Churchman"  in  New-York,  which,  together  with  his  introductory 
remarks  upon  it,  I  have  here  subjoined,  that  the  statement  which  is 
now  made,  may  be  seen  to  be  entirely  consistent,  with  what  that  let- 
ter promised. 

"bishophobaht. 

"  It  is  known  to  many,  although  we  are  not  aware  that  the  fact  has 
been  hitherto  publicly  adverted  to,  that  Dr.  Tyng,  in  his  Memoir  of 
Dr.  Bedell,  advanced  a  statement  in  connexion  with  the  name  of 
Bishop  Hobart,  of  such  a  kind,  or  in  such  a  manner,  as  very  much  and 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  65 

The  effect  of  this  discipline  upon  Mr.  Bedell's  character 
and  ministry  far  more  intimately  concerns  us.    His  remarka- 

very  justly  to  dissatisfy  Bishop  Hobart's  friends.  Private  letters  of 
Dr.  Bedell  to  Bishop  Hobart,  in  possession  of  Dr.  Hobart,  of  this  city, 
were  laid  before  Dr.  Tyng,  which  convinced  him  that  the  transaction 
referred  to  ought  to  have  been  placed  in  a  more  favourable  light,  and 
this  conviction  has  drawn  from  him  the  following  frank,  honourable, 
and  perfectly  satisfactory  reparation. 

"Philadelphia,  Sept.  4,  1835. 
**  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"I  take  the  liberty  of  employing  your  paper,  as  being  the  most  suita- 
ble vehicle  for  my  purpose,  for  the  correction  of  some  errors  which 
occur  in  a  passage  of  my  Memoir  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bedell.  I  refer  to  the 
incidents  which  are  related  from  the  40th  to  the  4.3d  pages.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  cite  the  passage,  as  any  who  are  concerned  may  have  the 
opportunity  to  consult  it  in  the  Memoir.  I  was  apprised,  soon  after 
the  publication  of  the  Memoir  in  May  last,  that  my  statement  was  in 
some  degree  erroneous.  But  as  I  could  gain  possession  of  no  other 
documents  which  were  connected  with  the  subject,  than  those  which, 
I  had  employed  in  compiling  the  Memoir,  it  was  impossible  for  me 
either  to  know  how  erroneous  my  statement  was,  or  to  have  any  rea- 
sonable ground  to  correct  it.  Within  a  few  days  I  have  been  furnish- 
ed, through  the  kindness  of  a  member  of  Bishop  Hobart's  family,  with 
copies  of  various  letters  from  Dr.  Bedell  to  Bishop  Hobart,  which  pre- 
sent views  of  the  passage  related,  materially  different  from  those  which 
occur  in  the  Memoir.  I  gladly  take  the  opportunity,  therefore,  to 
make  the  correction  which  truth  and  justice  demand,  and  which,  in  a 
future  edition  of  the  Memoir,  will  be  made  in  all  its  details,  much 
more  at  large. 

'<  The  impression  is  given  on  the  41st  page  that  the  change  of  location 
which  is  spoken  of,  originated  in  a  spontaneous  proposition  of  Bishop 
Hobart's.  This  is  not,  indeed,  particularly  declared,  nor  was  it  by  me 
especially  designed,  but  I  find  that  such  is  the  general  understanding 
of  the  passage.  I  have  now  abundant  evidence  before  me  that  any 
such  proposal  of  the  Bishop's  was  in  consequence  of  repeated  and  very 
urgent  requests  of  Mr.  Bedell's,  previously  made,  and  of  his  avowed 
determination  to  change  the  scene  of  his  ministry.  I  am  led  further 
to  think,  from  the  style  of  the  letters,  that  even  under  these  circum- 

F  2 


66  MEMOIROF 

bly  buoyant  spirits  had  never  received  till  now,  their  proper 
check.     His  ardent  and  gay  mind  had  seen  only  what  was 

stances,  Bishop  Hobart  did  not  design  to  convey  so  decided  a  proposi- 
tion to  Mr.  Bedell,  as  he  appeared  to  gather  from  his  conversation. 
The  impression  is  further  given  in  the  Memoir,  that  the  change  in 
contemplation  was  to  a  permanent  location.  This,  I  confess,  was  my 
understanding  and  design.  I  am  now  convinced  that  the  whole  sub- 
ject of  any  communication  from  Bishop  Hobart  to  Mr.  Bedell,  which 
the  latter  understood  to  be  an  express  invitation,  was  only  the  tempo- 
rary supply  of  the  place  of  the  regular  incumbent  who  was  absent  in 
Europe  for  the  year.  This  is  a  material  correction.  I  am  further  con- 
vinced that  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  disappointment  of  Mr.  Bedell 
originated  in  any  information  of  his  change  of  views,  conveyed  to 
Bishop  Hobart,  but  in  other  circumstances  which  are  referred  to,  but 
not  explained  ;  and  that  it  is  certain  Bishop  Hobart  never  designed  to 
give  him  so  much  encouragement  for  hope  as  he  suffered  himself  to 
entertain,  and  therefore  could  not  with  propriety  be  made  responsible 
for  the  disappointment  which  ensued.  I  find  from  subsequent  letters 
of  Mr.  Bedell's  that  his  own  mind  was  not  so  much  affected  with  any 
sense  of  the  injury  which  he  was  supposed  to  have  received,  as  were 
those  of  his  friends ;  nor  does  he  seem  to  have  lessened  the  reverence 
and  affection  which  he  entertained  for  the  Bishop.  In  the  whole  cor- 
respondence I  find  nothing  which  is  calculated  to  affect  the  cha- 
racter of  Bishop  Hobart  unfavourably,  and  my  opinion  of  the  whole 
occurrence  is  much  altered  by  the  further  information  which  I  have 
thus  received.  It  will  be  my  design  to  furnish  the  readers  of  the  Me- 
moir with  the  most  of  this  correspondence,  in  a  future  edition. 

"  I  had  not,  however,  the  least  design  of  imputing  any  thing  to  Bishop 
Hobart  which  he  would  consider  wrong,  in  my  relation  of  the  event  as 
it  now  stands.  I  considered  it  as  one  of  the  occasions  on  which  he  acted 
upon  his  own  conviction  of  duty,  and  in  a  decided  execution  of  his 
purposes,  which  I  have  always  supposed  to  be  characteristic  of  himself. 
I  hope  the  effect  of  the  present  communication  may  be,  not  only  to 
remove  any  erroneous  and  injurious  impressions  from  the  minds  of 
readers  of  the  Memoir,  but  also  to  satisfy  the  friends  of  Bishop  Hobart 
that  I  had  no  design  to  make  any  record  which  should  be  in  the 
smallest  degree  disrespectful  toward  him. 

"  I  am,  with  great  regard,  your  friend  and  brother, 

"  Stephen  H.  Trifo." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  67 

attractive  in  this  world,  and  his  anticipations  connected  with 
its  scenes  and  prospects,  were  far  too  bright  and  enchanting, 
to  allow  him  properly  to  "  seek  a  better  country,  that  is,  an 
heavenly."  But,  from  this  time,  he  received  from  on  high 
grace  to  refer  all  things  immediately  to  God.  He  saw  who 
had  appointed  the  rod  under  which  he  had  suffered,  and  he 
bowed  with  new  humility  and  submission  to  the  correction 
which  he  had  received.  He  had  erred  through  self-confi- 
dence ;  and  for  this  he  had  been  chastened.  In  his  subse- 
quent life,  he  was  most  remarkable  for  the  apparent  total  want 
of  this  self-confiding' spirit.  The  most  trifling  and  unimportant 
occurrences  of  his  life,  were  resolved  into  the  subjects  for 
divine  direction.  And  all  who  were  with  him,  were  habitual- 
ly marking  the  sober  views  he  formed  of  all  expectations ;  and 
listening  to  his  calm  and  sweet  expression,  "  If  the  Lord 
will,  I  shall  do  this  or  that." 

This  apparent  crushing  of  all  his  worldly  hopes,  in  the 
disappointment  of  his  expectation  of  removing  to  New-York, 
induced  a  far  more  consistent  and  vigilant  ministry.  It  led 
his  mind  to  a  more  independent  search  for  truth.  All  the  ob- 
stacles which  the  influence  of  education  and  association  had 
heaped  in  his  path,  were  now  removed.  He  felt  no  difficul- 
ty in  following  out  his  own  convictions,  either  in  the  acquisi- 
tion of  religious  knowledge,  or  in  the  discharge  of  religious 
duty.  The  gracious  Lord,  who  had  been  guiding  him  through 
all  these  difficulties,  and  preparing  him  by  their  chastening 
operation,  to  "  know  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  to 
him  who  was  weary,"  made  the  result  of  the  whole,  a  vast 
increase  of  true  happiness  for  himself,  and  the  means  of 
most  abundant  blessings  to  others.  But  for  such  a  disap- 
pointment of  his  youthful  hopes,  he  might  never  have  been 
separated  from  an  influence  which  would  have  turned  his 
future  ministry  to  a  very  different  course  from  that  which 
did  characterize  it ;  nor  have  gained  either  that  clear  know- 
ledge or  deep  experience,  of  Gospel  truth,  for  which  he  be- 


68  MEMOIROF 

came  so  distinguished  and  by  which  he  was  made  so  useful 
in  the  Church. 

In  the  situation  to  which  he  was  brought  by  this  disap- 
pointment, though  his  prospect  was  discouraging,  he  found 
much  to  alleviate  his  fears.  According  to  the  hope  which  he 
expressed  to  the  Bishop  in  his  letter  of  the  14th  of  November, 
the  vestry  of  the  Church  did  request  his  continuance  with 
them,  and  the  people  manifested  much  sympathy  and  af- 
fection towards  him.  He  accepted  their  invitation  to  remain 
with  them,  though  he  felt  still  convinced,  as  he  wrote  to  the 
Bishop  some  months  afterwards,  that  it  was  expedient  for 
them,  as  well  as  for  himself,  that  he  should  still  remove. 
Under  date  of  February  27,  1818,  he  thus  says  to  Bishop 
Hobart, — 

"  Under  the  circumstances  of  my  present  situation  at  Hud- 
son, I  wish  still  earnestly  to  leave  them,  as  I  am  convinced 
I  could  be  much  more  useful  any  where  else,  where  I  could 
commence  anew,  and  upon  much  more  correct  views  ;  that 
is,  where  I  could  commence  and  do  my  duties,  with  much 
more  stability,  and  in  a  manner  which  I  now  know  to  be 
necessary,  not  only  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  but  for  my 
own  satisfaction." 

Having  broken  up  his  family  arrangements  in  the  prospect 
of  removing  to  New-York,  he  did  not  again  settle  himself 
at  house-keeping.  An  intimate  relative  of  his  wife's,  imme- 
diately upon  hearing  of  the  letter  which  had  disappointed  his 
expectations,  came  to  invite  him  to  come  with  his  family  to 
his  house,  where  he  remained  until  his  final  removal  from 
Hudson.  He  continued  in  this  first  scene  of  his  labours, 
another  year,  pursuing  his  ministry  upon  a  new  system  and 
with  new  feelings — when  Bishop  Hobart  was  made  the  in- 
strument of  sending  him  out  into  the  extensive  field  which 
he  subsequently  occupied,  and  in  which  he  began  as  he  had 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  69 

wished  a  new  ministry,  with  views  of  duty  entirely  corrected, 
and  a  heart  engrossed  in  the  great  work,  to  which  he  had 
been  set  apart,  of  "winning  souls"  to  the  love  of  Christ ; 
and  in  which  also,  signal  blessings  flowed  upon  his  ministry, 
from  the  great  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift. 


70  MEMOIROF 


CHAPTER   III. 


REMOVAL       TO       FATETTEVIILE CHARACTER      OF      HIS      MITflSTRY 

PEACEFUL     SPIRIT INTERESTING     INSTANCE     OF    HIS    USEFULNESS 

EXTEMPORANEOUS    PRATER    AND     PRATER-MEETINGS SPECIMEN 

OF  PREACHING FAILING    HEALTH- — JOURNEY    TO  THE  NORTH NE- 
CESSITY    FOR     REMOVAL FEELINGS      OF     THE      PEOPLE REMOVAL 

FROM  FATETTEVILLE. 

In  the  summer  of  1818,  nearly  a  year  after  the  disap- 
pointment of  Mr.  Bedell's  hope  of  removing  to  New-York, 
a  gentleman  belonging  to  the  vestry  of  the  Church  in 
Fayetteville,  N.  C,  was  in  New-York,  commissioned  to 
engage  a  minister  for  that  Church.  He  made  application  to 
Bishop  Hobart,  for  information  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  this  appointment,  and  the  Bishop  directed  his  attention  to 
Mr.  Bedell,  as  one  likely  to  be  adapted  to  such  a  station.  In 
this  recommendation  of  him  to  a  new  and  important  sphere 
of  duty,  by  the  Bishop,  it  is  pleasant  to  see  the  evidence  of 
his  remaining  confidence  and  affection  towards  Mr.  Bedell, 
although  such  efforts  had  been  made  to  pervert  his  feelings 
in  relation  to  him,  the  preceding  year.  The  result  of  the  infor- 
mation which  his  direction  elicited,  was,  that  immediately 
on  the  return  of  the  gentleman  referred  to,  to  Fayetteville,  an 
unanimous  call  from  the  Church  in  that  place,  was  transmitted 
to  Mr.  Bedell.  The  unexpected  demand  upon  him,  agitated 
and  distressed  his  mind.  It  opened  to  him  a  field  entirely 
new,  very  remote,  and  never  before  considered.     He  must 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  71 

leave  his  native  territory,  which  as  a  residence  he  had  never 
left  before,  to  dwell  among  entire  strangers.  He  must 
withdraw  the  prop  of  an  only  son  from  his  father  bending 
under  the  weight  of  years.  He  must  dwell  in  a  southern 
climate,  the  effect  of  which,  upon  his  own  health,  and  that 
of  his  wife,  he  much  dreaded ;  and  amidst  circumstances 
peculiar  to  that  portion  of  our  country,  not  congenial  with 
his  own  habits,  or  feelings,  or  principles.  But  though  he 
hesitated  much  during  his  consideration  of  the  call,  when 
he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  opened  to  him  the  path  of 
duty,  he  delayed  no  longer.  He  gave  up  all  his  cares  to 
God,  and  determined  to  follow  at  once  in  the  way  by  which 
He  was  leading  him.  He  had  been  ordained  a  presbyter  in 
July,  1818,  and  in  October  of  that  year,  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  his  new  field  of  pastoral  labour  in 
Fayetteville. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Fayetteville,  he  addressed  the 
following  letter  to  Bishop  Hobart,  in  which  he  speaks  to 
him,  and  of  him,  with  entire  affection  and  respect,  and  gives 
evidence  that  with  his  altered  views  of  religious  truth,  he 
had  undergone  no  change  whatever,  in  his  attachment  to  the 
services  and  principles  of  the  Church.  The  fact,  which  is 
thus  displayed,  will  be  exhibited  most  clearly,  through  the 
whole  of  his  ministry.  I  have  never  been  acquainted  with 
one,  whose  heart  seemed  more  truly  bound  to  the  institu- 
tions of  the  Church,  and  whose  regularity  and  nice  sense  of 
propriety  in  conformity  to  them,  were  uniformly  more  mani- 
fest. This  feeling  with  him  was  not  assumption,  but  nature. 
It  flowed  out  spontaneously  and  habitually,  and  without  the 
necessity  of  watchfulness  or  effort. 

"Fayetteville,  Nov.  23,  1818. 
"  Right  Rev,  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  It  was  my  intention  to  have  written  to  you  immediately 
upon  my  arrival  here,  but  I  was  almost  immediately  attacked 


72  MEMOIROF 

by  a  nervous  head-ache  (consequent  I  presume  upon  the 
fatigues  of  the  journey)  which  completely  unfitted  me  for 
every  thing  like  mental,  and  for  almost  every  thing  like 
bodily  exertion.  I  have,  however,  now  nearly  recovered, 
and  hope  soon  to  be  quite  restored  to  my  former  strength. 

*'  As  it  regards  Fayetteville,  I  am,  upon  the  whole,  much 
better  pleased  than  I  expected.  The  Cape  Fear  river  is 
so  low  that  our  things  are  yet  in  Wilmington,  and  we  are 
still  at  the  house  of  that  invaluable  friend  to  the  Church, 
Mr.  Winslow,  where  we  are  treated  with  the  utmost  hospi- 
tality, and  every  thing  is  done  to  render  our  situation  comfor- 
table. The  liouse  which  has  been  provided  for  us,  is 
undergoing  repairs.  It  has  two  acres  of  ground  attached  to 
it,  part  of  which  is  in  a  very  fine  garden.  It  is  within  two 
minutes'  walk  of  the  Church,  and  in  the  very  centre  of  my 
parishioners. 

"  The  Church  itself,  owing  to  the  great  scarcity  of 
workmen,  is  not  yet  finished,  but  we  shall  be  able  to  get 
into  it  by  Christmas.  It  is  a  little  larger  than  the  Church  at 
Hudson,  built  something  in  the  Gothic,  and  is  to  be  com- 
plete in  every  thing  previous  to  any  use  being  made  of  it. 
It  has  a  fine  organ,  clock,  and  bell ;  and  two  gentlemen  of 
the  place  have  made  it  a  present  of  a  chandelier,  and  two 
branches  for  the  pulpit,  and  two  for  the  organ.  The  chan- 
delier is  of  sixty  lights,  and  cost  in  Liverpool  one  hundred 
guineas.  The  pulpit  and  desk  have  the  common  fault,  that 
is,  they  are  too  high.  The  vestry  room  is  back  of  the 
Church,  and  the  ascent  to  the  pulpit  is  from  it.  The  cost  of 
the  Church,  when  finished,  will  be  about  seventeen  thousand 
dollars.  After  the  consecration,  we  calculate  to  have  a 
regular  history  and  description  of  the  Church  drawn  up, 
and  a  profile  sent  for  the  Christian  Journal,  that  our  fellow 
churchmen  at  the  north  may  see  what  progress  the  Church 
is  making  in  the  south. 

*'  We  have  service  at  present  in  the  academy,  and  the  con- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  73 

gregation  is  very  considerable,  and  I  must  say,  as  attentive 
an  one  as  I  ever  preached  to.  The  increase  of  the  Church 
in  this  place,  is  naturally  to  be  expected  from  the  rapid  in- 
crease of  the  place,  and  when  she  comes  to  be  more  known, 
from  her  peculiar  excellencies.  I  have  every  reason  to 
expect  not  only  a  comfortable,  but  when  I  shall  be  weaned 
from  my  northern  predilections,  a  happy  settlement. 

*'  I  wish,  my  dear  Sir,  that  you  would  write  me  your 
opinion  as  to  the  absolute  authority  of  the  use  of  the  ante- 
communion  service ;  for,  although  I  never  mean  to  omit  it, 
still  I  would  wish  to  defend  myself  with  some  other 
authority  than  the  by  some  disputed  tenor  of  the  rubric. 

"It  would  afford  me  much  satisfaction  to  receive  the 
journal  of  the  last  convention,  and  whatever  ecclesiastical 
news  may  be  stirring  at  the  north.  I  sent  a  few  days  ago 
'to  Mr.  Onderdonk  the  journals  of  the  conventions  of  this  state 
at  Newbern  and  Fayetteville. 

"I  must  not  forget  to  request  you  to  direct  to  my  uncle 
in  Richmond,  the  necessary  dimissory  letter,  as  I  shall 
wish  to  be  instituted  as  soon  as  possible. 

"Mrs.  Bedell  and  Miss  Thurston  are  well,  and  together 
with  myself,  desire  to  be  remembered  to  Mrs.  Hobart. 
You  will  oblige  me  by  making  my  best  respects  to  all  the 
clergy  about  you,  and  tell  them  that  they  would  be  doing 
real  acts  of  charity,  if  they  would  occasionally  write  to  me 
and  tell  me  what  is  going  on  in  the  region  in  which  I  would 
gladly  be. 

"  With  every  sentiment  of  respect  and  love, 

"  I  remain.  Dear  Sir,  yours,  (fee. 

"G.  T.  Bedell." 

In  Fayetteville,  he  was  instituted  as  the  Rector  of  the 
Church,  and  entered  with  great  diligence  and  zeal  upon  a 
iield  of  labour  which  was  entirely  new,  but  which  he  found 
to  be  highly  encouraging.     The  Episcopal  Church  in  North 


74  MEMOIROr 

Carolina,  was  at  this  time  composed  of  but  few  and  scatter* 
ed  members.  In  Fayette ville  a  congregation  had  been  col- 
lected by  the  Rev.  Bethel  Judd,  both  before  and  afterwards 
a  clergyman  of  Connecticut,  who  had  been  with  them  for  a 
short  time  previous  to  this,  and  under  whose  labours  they 
had  commenced  the  erection  of  a  house  for  public  worship. 
When  Mr.  Bedell  removed  thither,  the  building  was  still 
unfinished,  and  the  public  services  of  religion  were  per- 
formed in  the  hall  of  an  academy.  Here  he  preached  his 
first  sermon  in  October,  1818,  from  which  we  have  before 
given  some  short  extracts.  He  was  now  entirely  removed 
from  early  friends  and  associations,  in  a  portion  of  country 
where  the  few  ministers  of  his  own  Church  were  very 
widely  separated  from  each  other,  and  where  he  was  obliged 
to  consult,  and  determine,  and  act,  in  the  concerns  of  his 
ministry,  entirely  alone.  These  circumstances  were  made 
the  occasion  and  instrument  of  fully  developing  his  mind, 
and  giving  firmness  and  character  to  all  his  principles. 

We  have  seen  him  in  his  short  ministry  at  Hudson,  un- 
dergoing, amidst  discouraging  and  painful  circumstances,  a 
strongly  marked  change  in  his  religious  views  and  habits. 
He  came  to  Fayette  ville,  with  the  full  benefit  of  the  education 
and  experience  through  which  he  had  been  thus  led,  and 
entered  upon  a  new  field  of  duty,  with  a  new  style  of  preach- 
ing and  a  new  system  of  ministerial  action.  Although  this 
spiritual  change  in  him  had  been  gradually  displayed,  as  no- 
ticed in  his  previous  course,  it  exhibited  itself  very  decided- 
ly, in  the  results  which  it  produced  in  the  commencement, 
and  through  the  whole  course  of  his  ministry  in  Fayette- 
ville.  His  great  and  unceasing  desire,  was  for  the  spiritual 
conversion  of  his  people ;  and  for  the  attainment  of  this,  he 
did  not  cease  to  "  teach  and  to  preach  Jesus  Christ."  He 
laboured  and  prayed  for  a  reviving  spirit  of  piety  in  the 
Church.  Besides  the  stated  services  of  the  Lord's-day,  that 
he  might  increase  the  opportunities  of  his  people  to  gain  a 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  75 

knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  the  truth,  he  established  a 
weekly  meeting  for  prayer  and  the  exposition  of  the  Scrip- 
tures at  his  own  house.  He  gave  himself  up  to  the  great 
work  he  had  undertaken,  of  leading  sinful  men  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  He  instituted  here  also  his  favourite  instru- 
ment of  good,  and  that  to  which  his  heart  was  peculiarly 
given  to  the  very  last  days  of  his  ministry  on  earth,  Sunday 
schools  and  Bible  classes ;  and  not  only  engaged  others  thus 
in  the  labour  of  Christian  instruction,  but  also  attended  him- 
self to  a  weekly  Bible  class  for  adults.  He  was  in  this 
method  literally  abundant  in  labours,  and  his  character  and 
usefulness  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  soon  became  extensively 
known  and  appreciated  throughout  the  United  States.  At 
that  time  I  was  personally  unacquainted  with  him,  and  was 
myself  preparing  for  orders  in  a  distant  state.  But  his  name, 
and  the  character  and  excellence  of  his  ministry,  became  fully 
known  to  me,  and  excited  the  strongest  desire  in  my  mind 
for  the  opportunity  of  gaining  a  personal  knowledge  of  him ; 
which  God  mercifully  gratified  at  last,  for  a  long  time  and 
in  an  intimate  degree. 

His  efforts  to  do  good  in  Fayetteville,  were  not  confined 
to  his  own  congregation.  He  set  himself,  and  with  much 
success,  to  fulfil  the  precept  given  by  the  Lord  to  the 
Israelites  in  their  captivity,  "Seek  the  peace  of  the  city 
whither  I  have  caused  you  to  be  carried  away  captives,  and 
pray  unto  the  Lord  for  it,  for  in  the  peace  thereof,  ye  shall 
have  peace  ;"*  and  the  promise  which  he  made  at  his  ordi- 
nation, that  he  would  "  maintain  and  set  forward  as  much 
as  lied  in  him,  quietness,  peace  and  love  among  all  Chris- 
tian people,  especially  among  them  that  should  be  committed 
to  his  charge."!  When  he  removed  to  Fayetteville,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian  Churches  were  much 
separated,  and,  in  some  cases,  violently  opposed  to  each 

*  Jeremiah  xxix.  7.    f  Ordination  office  of  Priests. 


76  MEMOIROF 

Other ;  so  much  so,  that  all  mutual  intercourse  between  some 
families  had  ceased  on  this  account.  He  became  at  once  the 
peace-maker  between  them.  He  associated  himself  upon 
the  most  friendly  terms  with  the  minister  and  members  of 
the  other  denomination,  and  thus  was  the  instrument  of  re- 
storing the  dominion  of  harmony  and  concord,  and  of  giving 
a  new  impulse  to  the  religious  character  and  spirit  of  the 
members  of  both  congregations.  This  mutual  sympathy 
and  co-operation  was  rendered  permanent  by  a  society  which 
he  formed  for  the  purposes  of  benevolence,  the  members  of 
which  were  composed  of  the  different  denominations  of 
Christians  in  the  place.  This,  by  bringing  them  together 
on  common  ground  for  reciprocal  assistance  and  support,  re- 
moved the  jealousies  and  tendency  to  conflict,  which  had  be- 
fore existed,  and  gave  them  a  consciousness  of  their  common 
interest,  and  of  the  claims  of  a  common  cause.  This  socie- 
ty held  its  meetings  at  his  own  house,  every  month  ;  and  its 
annual  meeting,  always  in  the  Episcopal  Church. 

The  principle  upon  which  he  acted  in  the  establishment  of 
this  society,  was  maintained  by  him  through  his  whole  subse- 
quent life.  While  he  was  devotedly  attached  to  the  principles 
of  the  Church  of  which  he  was  a  minister ;  peculiarly  exact 
and  regular  in  the  discharge  of  all  the  services  which  he  felt 
to  become  him  as  her  minister,  according  to  the  promises  of 
his  ordination ;  and  while  he  laboured  for  the  prosperity  and 
extension  of  the  Church  to  a  degree  certainly  unsurpassed, 
by  any  cotemporary  in  his  grade  of  the  ministry,  he  was 
fully  satisfied  that  there  was  ground  for  religious  effort,  which 
he  might  easily  and  happily  occupy  with  other  denomina- 
tions of  the  Lord's  people,  and  upon  which  he  might  unite 
with  them,  to  accomplish  good  results  in  which  they  could 
mutually  delight,  without  any  relinquishment  either  of  his 
own  rights  or  obligations,  as  an  Episcopal  minister.  He  had 
not  been  educated  in  such  views,  nor  during  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  his  previous  ministry  had  he  acquired  them.  Nor  under 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  77 

the  circumstances  in  which  he  had  been  previously  placed, 
could  he  probably  have  been  able  to  bring  them,  as  he  would 
have  wished,  into  operation.  But  when  the  American  Bible 
Society  was  formed,  his  attention,  as  we  have  seen,  was  called 
to  this  point.  He  saw  no  difficulty  and  danger  for  the  Epis- 
copal Church  in  an  union  with  that  enterprise,  and  accord- 
ingly gave  it,  his  full  co-operation.  To  similar  institutions, 
he  gave  his  influence  and  efforts  with  the  same  readiness  of 
feeling,  and  continued  always  afterwards  to  rejoice,  in  en- 
tering upon  any  undertaking  for  good  to  men,  in  which  the 
painful  and  discouraging  divisions  in  the  Christian  Church 
might  be  forgotten,  and  all  the  followers  of  the  Lord  be  united 
in  a  common  interest  and  common  labour  of  love. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Bedell  in  Fayetteville,  was  imme- 
diately distinguished  for  its  successful  results,  and  for  its  evan- 
gelical character.  The  Church  edifice  was  completed  and 
occupied  in  the  commencement  of  the  winter  succeeding  his 
removal  to  the  place,  and  a  large  and  united  congregation 
was  soon  collected  to  worship  in  it.  The  impression  and 
effect  which  was  early  produced  by  his  ministry,  may  be 
well  gathered  from  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  a 
highly  respected  gentleman,  then  a  member  of  the  congrega- 
tion : — 

"  I  have  been  trying  to  revive  my  remembrances  of  him 
at  that  period,  and  although  I  can  bear  strong  and  willing 
testimony  to  his  eminent  piety  ;  his  charitable  and  kmd  de- 
portment towards  other  classes  of  Christians  ;  his  efficient 
services  in  the  pulpit,  and  his  courteous  and  blameless  life 
in  society  ;  yet  my  memory  furnishes  few  details  that  can 
be  of  any  use  for  the  purpose  you  mention.  Indeed,  soon 
after  he  rendered,  with  so  much  kindness  and  sympathy,  the 
services  at  the  death-bed  of  my  beloved  sister  Sarah,  my  at- 
tention was  forcibly  diverted,  by  preparations  for  my  voyage 
to  Europe. 

g2 


78  *  MEMOIROF 

"  Though  young,  and  comparatively  thoughtless,  I  was 
not  unobservant  of  the  sensible  effects  of  his  ministry  upon 
the  community.  You  will  remember,  with  the  exception  of 
the  short  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Judd,  that  Mr.  Bedell's 
was  the  first  that  the  people  of  Fayetteville  had  ever  had  in 
the  Episcopal  Church,  and  although  the  congregation  had 
been  organized  by  his  predecessor,  yet  it  was  under  his 
ministry  that  the  cold  materials  seemed  to  receive  life  and 
feeling.  He  attracted  many  to  the  Church ;  some  aged  in- 
dividuals, who  had  scarcely  ever  been  seen  within  a  Church. 

"  Mr.  Bedell  drew  many  worldlings  and  careless  livers 
to  his  Church  by  the  animated  and  impressive  style  of  his 
oratory,  and  made  them  regular  attendants  by  his  earnest 
appeals  to  the  heart,  by  his  own  obvious  piety,  and  by  the 
forbearance  and  Christian  charity,  and  the  manner  with 
which  he  treated  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  his  Church, 
which  was  inoffensive  to  the  casual  hearers  of  a  different 
persuasion.  He  seized  all  occasions  for  arresting  the  atten- 
tion of  the  thoughtless.  If  a  death  occurred  in  the  place, 
some  appropriate  and  solemn  remarks  on  the  following 
Sabbath  were  made  to  carry  a  salutary  warning  to  every 
heart,  and  the  occasional  sermons  which  he  preached  on 
Christmas-day  and  New-Year's,  (which  days  had  never 
been  so  observed  before  this,)  were  impressive  and  solemn. 

"The  harmony  which  existed  between  the  Presbyterian 
minister  and  himself,  was  creditable  to  the  Christianity  of 
both.  They  so  arranged  their  services  on  the  afternoon  and 
evening  of  the  Sabbath,  that  the  people  of  one  could  hear 
the  preaching  of  the  other." 

The  remaining  portion  of  the  letter,  from  which  the 
above  is  extracted,  contains  a  delightful  account  of  an  inci- 
dent which  occurred  in  Mr.  Bedell's  ministry,  in  the 
summer  succeeding  his  removal  to  Fayetteville,  and  which, 
as  exhibiting  God's  blessing  resting  upon  his  labours  for  the 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  79 

good  of  souls,  becomes  of  peculiar  interest  to  us  in  this 
period  of  his  history.  I  have  inserted  the  account  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  letter: — 

"  But  my  personal  knowledge  of  Mr.  Bedell  commenced 
in  August,  1819,  at  the  time  of  his  kind  attendance  on  my 
dying  sister  : — and  for  his  services  on  that  occasion,  I  have 
ever  felt  grateful  to  him,  and  thankful  to  God  for  the  merciful 
and  wonderful  results  which  seemed  to  flow  from  them.  As 
such  incidents  rarely  occur  under  the  ministry  of  any  man, 
I  will  relate  it  more  minutely,  not  trusting  to  my  memory 
for  the  details,  but  will  avail  myself  of  letters  written  at  the 
time  to  an  absent  brother. 

*'  To  appreciate  the  extraordinary  manifestation  of  God's 
grace  and  power  in  her  triumphant  death,  it  may  be  neces- 
sary to  premise  something  of  her  character  ;  and  to  feel  the 
full  force  of  the  expression  that  she  made  on  her  death-bed, 
'  Oh,  I  have  suffered  a  great  deal  in  this  world,  but  I  would 
suffer  again  ten  thousand  times  for  this  hour  of  happiness,' 
it  will  be  requisite  to  understand  the  severe  and  varied  trials 
through  which  she  had  passed  in  her  short  career.  She 
had  been  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  ;  (the 
eldest  of  six  children,  to  whom  she  supplied,  as  far  as  it  was 
possible,  the  place  of  a  mother,  tenderly  and  faithfully,) 
married  early  from  a  mere  impulse  of  the  heart ;  soon  lost 
her  health  ;  buried  four  infant  children,  and  was  subjected 
to  domestic  trials  of  the  most  distressing  nature.  She  was 
full  of  sensibility,  and  early  in  life  cheerful  and  ardent,  but 
misfortunes  had  long  since  chilled  down  her  temperament, 
until  her  heart-broken  appearance  was  evident  to  every  be- 
holder. 

"  She  rarely  spoke  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  when 
she  went  to  the  communion  table,  she  seemed  oppressed  by 
a  sense  of  her  unworthiness  to  such  a  degree,  that  she  was 
visibly  distressed  and  indisposed  for  days  afterwards.     Dur- 


80  MEMOIROF 

ing  her  protracted  ill  health  she  was  very  wakeful  at  night, 
and  several  times,  in  the  darkness  and  silence  of  midnight, 
she  was  found  upon  her  knees  at  the  bed-side,  too  feeble  to 
get  back  without  assistance. 

"  We  had  so  long  and  so  often  seen  her  very  sick,  that  it 
was  not  till  the  evening  of  the  18th  August,  1819,  that  the 
hope  of  her  restoration  forsook  us  ;  her  respiration  then  be- 
came difficult,  and  it  was  too  evident  that  death  was  indeed 
at  hand.  It  was  suggested  to  me  that  Mr.  Bedell  had  better 
have  some  appropriate  conversation  with  her,  and  administer 
all  the  consolation  in  his  power. 

*'  I  went  immediately  to  him,  and  he  kindly  came  at  once, 
about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  weather  being 
warm,  her  bedstead  had  been  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  large 
room,  with  a  piazza  before  it. 

"  To  his  question  of  *  how  she  felt,'  she  replied,  '  as  a 
miserable  sinner ;'  to  which  he  rejoined,  '  we  are  all 
miserable  sinners,  and  it  was  well  that  she  could  reaUze  it.' 
To  his  appropriate  remarks  she  listened  with  deep  attention, 
but  seldom  spoke.  He  asked  her  if  he  should  pray  ;  she 
answered,  '  certainly.'  He  then  knelt  by  her  bed-side  and 
gave  an  extempore  prayer,  during  which  she  often  groaned, 
and  her  countenance  indicated  the  deep  anguish  of  her  soul. 
Mr.  Bedell  left  the  room,  and  she  clasped  her  hands,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  praying  most  fervently  to  herself.  On  seeing 
him  through  the  windows  walking  in  the  piazza,  she  sent 
and  requested  him  to  pray  again,  and  it  was  during  this 
second  prayer  that  the  very  remarkable  change  in  her  took 
place.  By  this  time  many  relatives  and  friends  and  servants 
had  collected  around  the  windows,  and  in  her  chamber,  to 
witness  the  closing  scene,  and  while  with  deep  emotion  and 
sympathy  we  stood  watching  her  emaciated  countenance,  so 
full  of  pain,  anxiety,  and  misery,  suddenly  it  became  radiant 
with  happiness,  and  lighted  up  with  seraphic  smiles.  She 
struggled  to  suppress   her  transporting  emotions  until  the 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  81 

prayer  was  finished,  when,  after  a  short  pause,  she  broke  the 
silence,  and  thrilled  every  one  present  with  exclaiming 
rapturously,  '  Thank  God  !  how  happy  I  am  ;  let  me  arise 
and  praise  God  for  what  he  has  done  for  my  soul.'  A  re- 
lation in  the  room  (supposing  her  delirious)  said,  'Keep 
her  down  ;'  when  she  replied,  '  No,  aunt ;  no  one  can  keep 
me  down  when  God  gives  me  the  power  to  rise.'  She  was 
then  supported  by  pillows  in  bed,  and  with  an  uplifted 
countenance,  beaming  with  rapture,  she  gazed  ardently,  as 
if  she  enjoyed  a  vision  of  the  unveiled  glories  of  heaven. 
She  had  no  adequate  language  to  express  her  emotions. 
She  exclaimed,  '  How  lovely  my  children  are,  especially 
Sarah  Jane ;'  (this  was  the  only  child  fhat  had  lived  long 
enough  to  be  baptized,)  and  she  seemed  by  her  looks  to 
recognize  others  among  the  throng  of  blessed  spirits.. 

"  You  may  conceive  how  mute  with  awe  and  astonish- 
ment we  stood,  conscious  that  a  scene  was  then  before  our 
eyes  which  mortals  seldom  have  witnessed,  sensible  that  we 
were  indeed  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  that  heaven  itself 
was  brought  near  to  us,  though  visible,  alas!  only  to  her. 
She  said  with  fervour,  '  Oh,  what  a  good  God  I  have !  Why 
don't  you  all  serve  him  V  Her  eye  resting  on  me,  she  said, 
'  My  dear  brother,  won't  you  be  a  Christian  ?  Won't  you 
promise  me  ?'  And  to  a  cousin  she  said,  'This  life  is  but 
a  state  of  probatiorr,  prepare  for  a  better  world.'  To  my 
sister  Isabella,  who  was  weeping,  she  said,  '  Oh,  do  not 
weep  for  me,  you  would  not  have  me  back  V  when  Mr. 
Bedell  remarked,  '  If  it  is  God's  will  to  raise  you  from  that 
sick  bed,  you  must  be  resigned.'  She  turned  to  Mr.  Bedell, 
and  said,  '  Mr.  Bedell,  you  have  been  an  instrument,  in  the 
hands  of  God,  this  night,  of  saving  my  soul :  words  are 
inadequate  to  express  my  thanks  to  you,  but  you  will  be 
rewarded  tenfold  for  it  in  heaven.'  She  often  expressed 
herself  thus :  '  I  have  suffered  a  great  deal  in  this  world, 
but  I  would  suffer  it  again  ten  thousand  times  for  this  hour 


82  MEMOIROF 

of  happiness.'  She  called  a  female  friend  to  her,  and  said, 
*  You  are  the  only  person  that  ever  conversed  with  me  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  let  me  kiss  you  for  it.  She  then 
drew  her  to  her,  and  put  her  arms  around  her  neck.  To 
her  husband  she  said,  '  My  dear  husband,  I  wish  I  could 
take  you  to  heaven  with  me  ;  I  wish  I  could  take  you  all 
with  me.' 

*'  She  asked  Mr.  Bedell  to  sing  a  hymn.  He  selected, 
'There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight,'  &c.  She  joined  in,  and 
though  often  interrupted  by  phlegm,  she  would  renew  the 
song,  and  strained  her  voice  to  its  utmost  strength.  When 
she  had  finished  the  two  lines — 

♦  Not  Jordan's  stream,  nor  death's  cold  flood, 
Should  fright  me  from  the  shore,' 

she  added,  with  uplifted  eyes  and  clasped  hands,  '  No, 
Lord  !     Death  has  no  fears  for  me.' 

"  Death,  indeed,  seemed  '  to  be  swallowed  up  in  victory.' 
She  was  frequently  urged  to  lie  down,  but  she  said,  '  Oh, 
let  me  talk  while  God  gives  me  power  to  talk.'  She  at 
length  yielded  to  entreaties,  and  laid  down.  She  continued 
in  a  peaceful  state  of  mind  all  night,  spoke  seldom,  and  slept 
more  than  usual.  On  the  following  morning  she  rallied  her 
strength  for  the  last  exhortation  to  her  husband,  and  in  a 
low  tone  seemed  to  be  pleading  earnestly  with  him.  She 
was  heard  to  say,  '  Promise  me,  my  dear  husband.'  She 
became  weaker  and  weaker  during  the  day;  her  memory 
failed,  and  at  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  19th  of 
August,  she  gently  breathed  her  last. 

"  Mr.  Bedell  remained  with  us  the  most  of  three  days, 
his  family  being  out  of  town.  His  kind  sympathy  fell 
upon  hearts  softened  and  subdued  by  affliction.  We  after- 
wards attended  his  Church,  and  my  sister  Isabella  became 
a  communicant.  Associated  as  he  is  in  our  minds  with  our 
departed  sister  in  that  wonderful  scene,  we  can  never  lose 
the  sense  of  his  piety  and  happy  instrumentality." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  83 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  Mr.  Bedell's 
letters  to  his  wife,  who  was  absent  at  this  time  on  a  visit  at 
Hillsborough,  N.  C.  In  the  previous  part  of  the  letter  he 
describes  the  striking  scene  which  has  just  been  related; 
this  portion  unfortunately  has  been  lost,  the  letter  having 
been  written  upon  two  sheets  of  paper.  The  remainder 
contains  an  interesting  development  of  the  state  of  his  own 
mind  at  the  time  of  this  occurrence,  and  shows  how  remark- 
ably and  happily  God  had  now  led  him,  to  a  knowledge  and 
acceptance  of  the  great  principles  of  gospel  truth.  It  is  a 
subject  of  unceasing  regret  that  so  few  of  his  letters  have 
been  preserved  by  his  correspondents,  and  thus  so  much  of 
the  private  exhibition  of  his  character  has  been  placed  be- 
yond our  reach. 

"Fayetteville,  August,  1819. 

"  After  having  been  engaged  in  these  things  both  in  con- 
templation and  in  writing,  you  cannot  but  suppose  that  I 
feel  no  interest  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  common  matters.  By 
the  permission  of  God,  I  hope  to  be  able  next  week  to  talk 
to  you  of  these  things. 

"  In  the  enclosed  letter  of  S *,  you  will  find  that  to 

all  appearance  God  has  been  dealing  mercifully  with  her 
in  bringing  her  to  a  sense  of  her  danger,  a  conviction  of  sin ; 
that  it  will  be  carried  on  by  him  who  hath  begun  the  good 
work,  until  it  eventuates  in  her  conversion,  is  my  hope  and 
prayer.  O  how  valuable  is  the  soul,  and  how  precious  its 
Redeemer !  Give  yourself  in  sincere  prayer  to  him,  and  be 
assured,  upon  the  word  of  him  who  will  not  deceive,  you 
shall  in  no  wise  be  cast  out. 

"Shall  I  say  that  I  have  been  taught  from  these  things? 
I  know  and  feel  my  own  unworthiness,  and  the  sight  of 
these    things    animates    my    devotions,    and    warms   and 

*  A  sister  of  Mrs.  B. 


84  MEMOIROF 

quickens  my  love.  Oh  that  we  all  might  know  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin,  and  go  to  the  foot  of  the  cross 
with  our  hearts  deeply  humbled  !  I  have  extended  this  let- 
ter further  than  I  intended.     I  must  stop,  for  I  am  fatigued. 

"  I  think  of  setting  out  on  Monday  next  with  Col.  Ash, 
If  I  do,  I  shall  not  see  you  till  Wednesday.  If  I  travel 
alone,  and  am  prospered,  I  shall  be  with  you  on  Tuesday 
evening." 

Some  expressions  in  the  preceding  extracts  present  very 
clearly  to  us,  the  manifest  change  through  which  the  mind 
of  Mr.  Bedell  had  passed,  in  regard  to  some  points  referred 
to.  It  is  delightful  to  us,  to  witness  in  it,  the  high  value  which 
he  had  learned  to  set  on  heavenly  and  spiritual  things ;  the 
clear  views  which  he  had  attained  of  the  method  in  which 
God  works  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  awaken  and  convert  the 
sinful  soul ;  and  the  earnest  desires  which  he  felt  that 
others  should  become  partakers  of  these  precious  blessings  of 
the  gospel. 

In  reference  also  to  the  use  of  extemporaneous  prayer, 
which  we  find  mentioned  in  the  preceding  letter,  this 
change  which  had  taken  place  in  his  feelings  and  judgment 
is  quite  evident.  In  some  sermons  which  he  had  preached 
upon  the  subject  of  "  forms  of  prayer"  at  Hudson,  I  have 
found  very  strong  expressions,  in  condemnation  of  the  habit 
of  extemporaneous  prayers  upon  all  occasions,  and  the 
entire  denial,  that  such  prayer  could  ever  be  made  acceptably 
to  God,  or  without  the  vain  repetitions  referred  to  by  our 
Lord  in  his  sermon  on  the  mount.  This  opinion  he  then 
entertained ;  but  when  this  course  of  sermons  was  preached 
by  him  subsequently  at  Fayetteville,  though  there  is  no 
change  in  his  judgment,  as  indeed  there  never  was,  in  re- 
gard to  the  expediency  and  importance  of  a  form  of  prayer 
for  the  public  worship  of  the  Church,  all  the  expressions  of 
condemnation  of  extemporaneous  prayer  which  had  been  so 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  85 

freely  used,  are  omitted,  as  not  being  necessary  to  his  argu- 
ment, and  not  according  with  his  state  of  mind  ;  and  the 
caution  is  repeatedly  given  that  his  remarks  are  not  to  be  in- 
terpreted to  the  reproof  of  this  habit,  in  other  Christians,  or 
the  use  of  it  by  ourselves,  on  other  occasions  than  those  for 
which  the  regular  form  of  prayer  has  been  properly  pre- 
scribed. In  reference  to  this  point,  the  views  which  he  enter- 
tained, and  upon  which  he  practised,  during  his  ministry  at 
Fayetteville,  remained  the  permanent  convictions  of  his 
mind  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

No  clergyman  of  the  Church  more  highly  valued  the 
Liturgy  than  he,  and  no  one  could  be,  more  regular  in  its  use 
as  the  form  of  public  worship  for  the  Church.  But  upon 
private  occasions,  and  in  meetings  for  social  worship,  he 
felt  himself  at  liberty,  and  this  liberty  he  habitually  used, 
to  employ  extemporaneous  prayer  as  more  entirely  adapted 
to  the  changing  circumstances  of  such  occasions.* 

*  It  is  in  no  small  degree  interesting  to  us  to  record,  in  connexion 
with  the  above  remarks,  a  circumstance  which  occurred  many  years 
subsequent  to  our  present  point  of  history,  but  which  is  so  precisely 
accordant  with  what  has  been  here  said,  that  it  comes  in  with  peculiar 
fitness. 

The  very  last  public  address  which  Dr.  Bedell  ever  delivered  at  the 
meeting  of  any  benevolent  society,  was  at  the  formation  of  the 
"  Bishop  White  Prayer-book  Society,"  in  Philadelphia,  in  February, 
1834,  but  a  few  months  before  his  death.  He  offered  the  following 
resolution — "  Resolved,  that  the  lapse  of  ages  has  but  tended  to 
strengthen  the  conviction,  that  the  Prayer-book  is  one  of  the  dis- 
tinguishing excellencies  of  the  Church,  to  which,  under  God,  is  mainly 
attributable,  her  remarkable  exemption  from  false  doctrine,  heresy,  and 
schism,  in  times  past ;  and  her  prospect  of  unity,  peace  and  concord, 
for  the  time  to  come."  In  advocating  this  resolution,  after  showing 
the  fact,  that  the  Episcopal  Church  is  thus  free  from  these  evils,  and 
has  this  prospect,  and  that  this  freedom  is  attributable  to  the  use  of  the 
Book  of  Common  Prayer,  he  thus  concludes  his  address — "I will 
mention  what  some  may  consider  a  little  heterodox,  but  as  we  are  here 

H 


86  MEJIOIROF 

In  the  foregoing  extract  of  his  letter  to  Mrs.  Bedell,  the 
Christian  reader  will  not  fail  to  see,  also,  how  much  enlighten- 
ed his  views  now  were,  upon  the  great  subject  of  the  sinner's 
conversion  to  God,  and  how  much  more  efficient  and  prac- 
tical, his  ministry  must  necessarially  have  become.  And 
when  the  date  of  this  letter  is  remarked,  it  having  been 
written  in  the  first  summer  of  his  residence  at  Fayetteville, 
the  fact  will  appear  very  evident,  that  his  mind  had  become 
fully  settled  upon  the  great  principles  of  Christian  truth,  and 
his  system  of  ministry  had  become  entirely  transformed,  in  its 
character  at  this  early  period  of  his  history.  With  views  of  truth 
like  these,  so  clearly  expressed  as  they  were  afterwards  in 
his  habitual  preaching,  the  results  of  his  ministry  which  were 
so  widely  known,  are  seen  not  to  have  been  without  an 
adequate  instrumentality.  He  was  thus  made  the  means  of 
conversion  to  hundreds  who  will  undoubtedly  be  stars  in 
his  crown  of  rejoicing  for  ever. 

At  the   close   of    this   year,   he    preached  a  sermon  on 

harmoniously  assembled  this  evening,  we  may  make  a  little  allowance 
to  each  others'  failings.     I  have  no  objections  to  social  prayer-meet- 
ings, or  extemporaneous  prayer.     But  I  have  one  curious  incident  to 
relate.     A  Presbyterian    gentleman  from    Rochester    was  once  at  a 
piayer-meeting  in  my  lecture-room  ;  and  subsequently  said  to  me,  *  I 
have  attended  several   prayer-meetings    of    Episcopalians,  and  I  do 
think  those  who  are  pious  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  pray  better  than 
any  people  I  have  ever  heard.'     Shall  I  tell  you  my  answer?     It  bears 
exactly  on  the  point  before  us.     '  My  dear  sir,'  said  I,  *  Episcopalians 
have  been  so    much  in  the  habit  of  praying  in  the  language  of  the 
Prayer-book,  that  they  cannot  make  bad  prayers.'     And  this  is  a  fact. 
It  is  more  difficult  for  a  pious  and  intelligent  Episcopalian  to  make  a 
bad  prayer,  than  a  good  one      Now,  sir,  on  all  these  grounds,  this 
resolution  expresses  my  feelings,  and  I  heartily  rejoice  at  the  establish- 
ment of  this  society.     I  want  to  see  the  Prayer-book  in  the  hands  of 
all.     It  recommends  our  Church  where  she  is  not  known,  and  makes 
her   more  loved  where  she  is  already  known.     May  God  speed  the 
efforts  of  the  institution  now  to  be  organized." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  87 

Christmas  eve  in  Fayetteville,  which  was  printed  and  dedi- 
cated to  his  uncle,  Bishop  Moore.  He  called  it,  "the 
minister's  affectionate  exhortation  to  his  professing  people." 
As  a  composition,  it  contains  nothing  worthy  of  particular 
remark.  But  as  exhibiting  the  clear  views  which  he  had 
obtained  of  the  great  principles  of  Christian  truth,  and  the 
positive  stand  which  he  had  taken,  in  regard  to  the  confor- 
mity of  Christians  to  the  world,  so  different  from  his  own 
habits  of  mind  and  conduct  in  previous  years,  it  is  well 
worthy  of  our  notice,  and  I  shall  present  simply  for  this 
purpose,  a  few  extracts  for  the  reader. 

The  text  was  in  the  7th  and  8th  verses  of  the  1st  chapter  of 
the  Song  of  Solomon.  "  Tell  me,  O  thou  wJiom  my  soul 
loveth,  where  thou  feedest,  where  thou  makest  thy  flock  to 
rest  at  noon;  for  lohy  should  I  be  as  one  that  turneth  aside 
by  the  flocks  of  thy  companions?  If  thou  know  not,  O  thou 
fairest  among  women,  go  thy  way  forth  by  the  footsteps  of 
the  flock,  and  feed  thy  kids  beside  the  sJiepherds^  tents. ''"' 

In  his  introduction  he  reraarka  : — 

*' There  is  an  extremely  interesting  and  important  inquiry, 
and  which  seems  seldom  to  be  made,  or  if  made,  pursued 
to  any  permanently  profitable  result ;  and  that  is — what 
course  is  absolutely  necessary  to  be  followed,  in  order  to  be 
true  disciples  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  a  kind 
of  instinct  unhappily  clinging  to  our  fallen  nature — a  part  of 
that  depravity  in  which  the  carnal  heart  is  so  deeply  in- 
volved, that  lead  us  always  to  seek  to  keep  at  a  distance,  those 
subjects  of  inquiry  which  we  feel  perfectly  assured  must 
result  in  something  completely  at  variance  with  the  views 
and  feelings  which  we  have  been  in  the  habit  of  indulging  ; 
and  many  an  individual  is  thus  kept  continually  vacillating  be- 
tween what  he  knows  to  be  wrong  and  what  he  fears  to  be 
right, 

"  This  is  eminently  the  case  with  respect  to  religion.     I 


88  MEMOIROF 

feel  assured  that  there  are  many  persons  in  the  world,  who 
have  a  cloud  upon  their  minds  in  this  particular, — who  are 
conscious  that  the  religious  course  which  they  pursue,  is  not 
what  it  ought  to  be,  and  yet  who  will  not  push  on  the 
inquiry  to  its  result,  because  they  are  convinced  that  the 
result  so  attained,  would  only  add  confirmation  strong,  to  the 
consciousness  of  present  deficiency.  It  is  the  way, — it  is 
the  habit  of  the  world, — it  is  but  natural, — it  is  but  the  pre- 
dominance of  the  flesh  over  the  spirit,  that  we  should  be 
opposed  to  every  thing  which  would  seek  to  destroy  the 
empire  of  self,  and  of  the  world  ;  to  overthrow  darling  habits 
of  thought  or  of  action,  and  to  estabUsh  on  their  ruins,  a 
system  of  principles  and  conduct  as  opposite  to  what  we 
had  hitherto  been,  as  light  is  to  darkness." 

He  thus  arranges  the  division  of  the  sermon : — 

"  I.  That  whoever  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will  al- 
ways desire  to  feel  and  know  his  presence. 

"  II.  That  "whoever  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  dhrist,  will  al- 
ways be  extremely  anxious,  lest  by  any  means  they  depart 
from  his  presence. 

"  III.  That  whoever  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  will 
follow  the  directions  given.  '  Go  thy  way  by  the  footsteps 
of  the  flocks,  and  feed  thy  kids  beside  the  shepherds'  tents,'  " 

Under  the  first  division,  he  remarks  : — 

"  The  heart,  which  is  conscious  of  its  own  sinfulness  and 
insuflUciency  ;  which  knows  the  exceeding  love  of  Christ, 
and  in  which  he  has  been  formed  the  hope  of  glory,  desires  to 
live  as  if  in  his  immediate  presence,  and  supported  by  the 
bounty  of  his  grace.  There  is  no  more  certain,  nay,  it  is 
the  only  sure  criterion  by  which  we  can  judge  of  our  own 
love  to  Christ,  so  to  act  as  if  the  predominant  desire  of  our 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  89 

hearts,  was  to  be  under  his  continual  guidance,  as  a  sheep  of 
his  pastoral  care.  The  heart  which  truly  loves  him,  loves 
also  to  follow  him  in  the  way  of  his  commandments 
whithersoever  he  shall  be  pleased  to  lead  the  way.  To  the 
experienced  Christian,  the  language  of  the  text  fully  ex- 
presses what  other  language  could  but  imperfectly  define — 
'  Tell  me,  O  thou  whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  thou  feedest, 
where  thou  makest,  thy  flock  to  rest  at  noon.' 

"Believe  me,  my  friends,  there  is  no  love  to  Christ 
where  the  heart  is  left  so  cold  and  dead  to  heavenly  things, 
that  the  sentiment  of  the  text  cannot  be  awakened  into  life, 
and  activity,  and  warmth.  The  heart  may  be  satisfied  of  its 
deficiency,  which  has  never  felt,  '  Tell  me,  O  thou  whom 
my  soul  loveth,  where  thou  feedest,  where  thou  makest  thy 
flock  to  rest  at  noon  V  " 

Under  the  second  division,  he  proceeds  : — 

*'  The  individual  who  can  say  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  '  0  thou 

whom  my  soul  loveth,'  is  not  only  desirous  to  be  as  it  were 

continually  in  his  presence,  but  is  also  conscious  of  his  own 

insufficiency,  and  trustts  himself  entirely  to  the  Lord,  his 

Shepherd,  for  strength  and  support.     He  is  aware  that  he  is 

safe  so  long  as  the  Lord  is  his  defence  ;  but  feels  and  knows, 

both  the  danger  and  the  wretchedness  of  getting  beyond  the 

bounds   marked    out  as   the  enclosure   of   safety.     '  Why 

should  I  be  as  one  that  turneth  aside  by  the  flocks  of  thy 

companions  !'     The  soul  which  truly  loves  the  Lord  Jesus, 

has  an  habitual  fear  of  being  drawn  away  from  his  service, 

by  the  numerous  temptations  which  every  where  lie  in  his 

way.     This  fear  is  the  parent  of  humility,  and  humility 

leads  on  the  way  to  trust  reposed  on  the  mercy  and  the 

grace  of  God.     The  predominant  feeling  of  the  heart,  thus 

alive  to  a  sense  of  danger,  will  be,  O  thou  good  Shepherd, 

under  thy  protection  and  guidance,  I  know  I  am  safe ;   in- 

h2 


90  MEMOIROF 

struct  me  in  the  way  of  my  duty  and  keep  me  in  it — why 
should  I  be  as  one  that  would  wander  from  thy  fold  ?  Here 
is  the  foundation  of  my  future  enjoyment, — keep  me  from 
wandering  away  with  those  flocks  which  have  some  other 
master ;  danger  is  in  their  path  ;  destruction  awaits  them ; 
with  Thee  alone,  is  the  path  of  life  ;  lead  me  by  thy  right 
hand,  uphold  me  by  thy  love." 

Under  the  third  head  are  these  valuable  observations  and 
admonitions : — 

"  1.  Try  no  new  expedients — 

"There  is  but  one  way  of  salvation.  It  is  through  the 
atonement  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  through  faith  in  his 
name.  '  Go  thy  way  forth  by  the  footsteps  of  the  flock.' 
This  is  the  way  which  has  been  trodden  by  saints  from  the 
time  of  righteous  Abel  to  the  present.  For  those  upon 
whom  the  splendour  of  the  gospel  did  not  shine,  neverthe- 
less, walked  in  the  twilight  of  the  gospel's  morning. 
'These  all  died  in  faith,'  says  the  apostle.  The  way  in 
which  the  holy  men  of  old — the  Prophets,  the  Apostles  and 
primitive  Christians  went, — as  well,  as  those  who  since  them 
have  loved  the  Lord,  is  one  and  the  same.  Trial,  self-denial 
and  affliction  are  in  the  way.  No  expedient  which  proposes 
easier  conditions  can  be  a  safe  one.  '  Whoever  will  come 
after  me,  must  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me' — as  a  sinner 
— ^lost  by  nature ;  and  if  saved,  saved  only  by  the  unmerited 
grace  of  God,  through  the  atonement  of  Christ  and  the 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit.  Here  alone,  can  you  rest  under 
the  shadow  of  the  Shepherd's  tent. 

"  The  grand  object  of  a  Christian,  is  the  salvation  of  his 
soul.  To  attain  this  object,  there  is  a  path  pointed  out,  and 
that  path  is  to  be  constantly  pursued.  When  we  lose  sight 
of  it,  we  are  in  danger  ;  when  we  turn  aside  by  the  flocks 
of  others,  we  are  completely  out  of  the  way  of  safety. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  91 

*'  It  is  the  besetting  sin  of  professing  Christians,  to  linger 
by  the  way,  and  turn  aside,  when  they  should  rather  '  press 
towards  the  mark.'     It  is  particularly  the  sin  of  many,  to 
turn  aside  from  the  footsteps  of   the  flock  to  run  after  the 
vain  and  idle  amusements  of  the  world.     Whatever  may  be 
said  of   these  things  as  it  regards  those  who  make  no  pro- 
fession of  religion  at  all,  (for  indulgence  in  these  things, 
makes  but  another  link  in  the  chain  of  their  most  lamentable 
deficiencies,)  I  dare  not  to  dissemble  my  entire  conviction  of 
their  evil,  as  it  regards  professing  Christians.     Neither  will 
I  dissemble  my   sorrow,   that  there  should  be  a  professing 
Christian  within  the  sphere  of  my  influence,  in  whose  mind 
even  the  possibility  of  their  innocence  should  enter.     What 
constitutes  the  difference  between  those  who  profess  to  be 
the  followers  of  the  Lord,  and  those  who  do  not  ?     Is  there 
no  difl'erence  between  them  ?     Yes,  there  is,  or,  rather  I 
should  say,  there  ought  to  be,  a  difference  as  clear,  and  dis- 
tinct, as  the  day  is  from  night.     That  difference  consists  in 
the  ardour  of  the  love  which  burns  in  their  bosoms  towards 
Him  who  is  the  author,  and  finisher  of  our  salvation ;  and 
the  ardour  of  that  love  is  only  to  be  measured  by  the  de- 
votedness  of  our  lives  to  his  service.     Love  to  the  Saviour, 
and  love  to  the  amusements  of  the  world,  are  things  oppo- 
site and  contradictory.     Love  for  one's  own  soul,  and  love 
for  those  things   with  which  the  best  interests  of  the  soul 
are  at  war,  are  things  in  their  own  nature,  opposite  and 
contradictory.     True  religion,   and  the   world,  are  as  com- 
pletely at  variance  as  can  possibly  be  imagined. — Our  Sa- 
viour has  not  only  established  this  truth,  but  absolutely  laid 
down  the  impossibility  of  a  neutral  state  for  the  soul. — '  Ye 
cannot  serve  God  and  Mammon' — '  He  that  is  not  with  me, 
is  against  me.' 

"  I  speak  it  in  the  fear  of  God.  No  professing  Christian 
has  any  doubts  on  the  subject  if  he  has  in  his  heart,  any 
ardent  love  for  the  Lord  Jesus.     Where  the  love  of  Christ 


92  MEMOIROF 

dwells  in  the  heart,  the  empire  of  these  follies  is  overthrown 
altogether.  The  truth  can  be  most  firmly  estabUshed  by  the 
experience  of  those  who  have  felt  and  known,  that  the  Lord 
has  been  gracious  to  them ;  that  the  soul  which  loves  the 
Lord  is  supremely  desirous  of  being  fixed  entirely  upon  him, 
wishes  always  to  be  with  him,  and  loves  the  way  he  has 
pointed  out. 

"Why,  my  friends,  should  any  of  you  forsake  his  guid- 
ing, and  turn  aside  to  the  flocks  of  others?  If  I  may  be 
allowed  the  expression,  O  what  sorrow,  professing  Christians, 
fills  the  bosom  of  your  Saviour,  when  he  feels  in  his  infinite 
compassion,  Is  my  service  then  so  unpleasant — has  it  so 
few  delights — has  my  pastoral  care  so  few  attractions — has 
being  in  my  flock  so  few  pleasures,  that  those  who  profess 
to  follow  me,  turn  aside  to  mingle  in  the  vanities  in  which 
they  are  engaged  who  are  not  of  my  fold?  Why  do  they 
forsake  the  footsteps  of  the  flocks  ?  Why  do  they  flee  from 
the  shadow  of  the  Shepherd's  tent,  and  turn  them  to  those 
empty  pleasures  which  are  calculated  to  quench  every  spark 
of  devotion ;  while  I,  who  have  died  to  save  them,  and  would 
lead  them  to  green  pastures,  and  beside  the  waters  of  com- 
fort, am  forgotten  and  forsaken? 

"  Dedicate,  I  pray  you,  your  best  powers  to  God.  Love 
Christ  as  your  '  all.'  Vast  is  the  happiness,  even  here  below, 
of  being  found  by  the  footsteps  of  the  flock ; — unspeakable 
the  gratification  of  knowing  that  we  are  pardoned,  and  that  we 
have  an  interest  in  the  blood  of  Jesus — that  He,  the  good 
Shepherd,  watches  over  us  for  good — that  the  shelter  of  his 
tent  is  security  and  peace. 

"  Who  will  seek  with  us  the  footsteps  of  the  flock  ?  Who 
will  go  with  us  to  the  sheltering  tent  ?  Shall  our  number  be 
small?  Well,  well!  'Fear  not,  little  flock,  for  it  is  your 
Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom.' 

"  The  day  will  come,  for  the  promise  of  God  is  engag- 
ed in  the  furtherance  of  the  work,  when  true  evangelical 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  93 

religion  shall  have  its  sway;  shall  run  and  be  glorified. 
Then  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  be  loved,  and 
Christians,  feeling  the  full  force  of  their  obligations,  let  their 
light  so  shine  before  men,  that  others,  seeing  their  devoted- 
ness  to  the  cause  of  their  Redeemer  and  Saviour,  shall  glo- 
rify our  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  Happy  will  be  the  day, 
when  Jesus  Christ  shall  reign  in  our  hearts,  supremely  ; — 
King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  More  glorious  the  pe- 
riod, when,  after  the  tremendous  process  of  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, those,  and  those  only,  who  have  loved  him,  shall  go 
to  Sion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads,  and 
be  engaged  in  praises,  and  filled  with  joys  as  extatic  as  they 
are  endless." 

It  is  delightful  and  cheering,  to  see  in  these  extracts,  how 
"the  true  light"  was  shining  in  his  heart,  "to  give  him 
the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ."  He  who  had  "begun  a  good  work  in  him,  was 
carrying  it  on  unto  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus,"  and  was  ra- 
pidly preparing  him  now,  for  great  usefulness  on  earth,  and 
for  glory  in  heaven. 

In  the  autumn  of  1819,  shortly  after  the  interesting  cir- 
cumstances described  in  one  of  the  preceding  letters,  he  was 
himself  visited  with  violent  disease.  From  this  he  recovered 
in  a  few  weeks ;  but  it  sufficiently  proved  the  unfavourable  in- 
fluence of  the  climate  upon  his  constitution,  and  laid  the  foun- 
dation with  him  for  much  serious  suffering.  Successive  attacks 
of  ague  and  fever,  endured  both  by  himself  and  his  wife, 
made  it  more  evident,  in  each  succeeding  year,  that  he  could 
not  long  remain  to  labour  in  that  portion  of  country.  Through 
the  summer  of  1821,  he  was  absent  with  his  family  on  a 
visit  to  their  friends  in  the  northern  states,  in  consequence 
of  their  ill  health.  During  this  summer  and  autumn,  he 
passed  a  considerable  portion  of  time  with  his  friends  in  the 
city  of  New-York.     There  was  now  again  a  vacant  situa- 


94  MEMOIROF 

tion  in  Trinity  Church,  in  that  city,  which  was  temporarily 
supplied,  to  which  many  of  his  friends  were  very  desirous 
be  should  be  called.  His  preaching  excited  much  attention, 
and  there  seemed  a  strong  probability  that  he  would  be 
chosen  to  occupy  this  station.  He  addressed  the  following 
note  to  Bishop  Hobart  upon  the  subject,  which  will  itself 
sufficiently  explain  the  views  and  motives  by  which  he  was 
induced,  again  to  present  to  the  notice  of  the  Bishop,  his 
wishes  in  regard  to  this  place.  It  afforded  one  instance  out 
of  the  many  in  his  life,  in  which  God  was  disappointing  all 
his  favoured  schemes, — that  he  might  be  "  shut  up"  to  the 
entrance  upon  the  field  for  labour  which  was  provided 
for  him — a  field  to  which  his  own  attention  apparently  had 
never  been  turned,  but  his  importance  and  usefulness  in 
which  is  known  throughout  the  Church. 

"  My  Dear  Sir,— 

*'  The  fear  of  not  being  able  to  see  you,  before  I  leave 
town,  induces  me  to  trouble  you  with  a  few  lines,  on  the 
subject  which  is  at  present  most  interesting  to  myself.  I 
am  becoming  more  and  more  anxious  to  obtain  the  situation 
which  is  now  open,  and  that  increased  anxiety  arises  par- 
ticularly from  the  continued  indisposition  of  my  father,  who, 
without  being  severely  ill,  is  still,  in  my  opinion,  wearing 
fast  away ;  and  the  unpleasant  prospects  of  future  provision 
for  his  family,  (as  he  has  not  even  now  the  strength  to  pur- 
sue his  business,)  has  a  very  injurious  effect  upon  his  health, 
by  pressing  heavily  upon  his  spirits.  To  be  with  him  the 
rest  of  his  life,  and  to  have  it  in  my  power,  to  remove  some 
part  of  the  weight  from  his  mind,  in  reference  to  the  future, 
is  a  reason  which  forcibly  urges  me  to  ask  from  you,  the 
exertion  of  such  influence  in  my  favour  as  you  may  deem 
consistent.  I  would  not,  my  dear  Sir,  have  the  boldness  to 
do  this,  did  I  not  feel  the  many  obligations  under  which  I 
already  lie  to  your  kind  consideration. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  95 

*'  I  feel  a  very  great  repugnance  to  returning  to  the  south  to 
live,  because  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  it  is  almost  signing 
the  death  warrant  of  my  wife ;  for  even  in  case  that  I  could 
so  far  divest  myself  of  all  selfish  consideration,  as  to  be  will- 
ing to  leave  her  behind,  it  is  a  matter  in  which  she  would 
not  be  agreed. 

"  The  situation  alluded  to  would  be  particularly  pleasant  to 
me  on  account  of  my  personal  regard,  and  I  may  say,  fond- 
ness for  the  clergyman  at  present  in  the  parish,  and  as  it 
regards  yourself,  having  been  always  accustomed  to  look  up 
to  you,  my  feelings  are  much  deeper  than  reverence,  and 
I  would  trust  that  there  needs  no  assurance  on  my  part,  of 
the  most  cheerful  and  faithful  discharge  of  whatever  duties 
might  devolve  upon  me.  I  write  now  because  I  suppose 
that  there  is  an  impression  in  my  favour  which  has  never 
before  existed,  and  that  if  ever  there  is  a  chance  of  my  being 
called  it  is  now,  and  though  the  difficulties  which  exist  in  a 
pecuniary  point  are  great,  yet  surely  the  good  of  the  Church 
requires  a  more  permanent  arrangement  than  at  present. 

"  I  trust,  and  indeed,  I  know  you  would  excuse  me  when 
you  take  into  consideration  the  circumstances  under  which  I 
write.  With  an  aged  father's  health  and  spirits  hanging  as  it 
were  upon  the  issue — with  the  danger  of  making  the  south 
a  permanent  residence  for  my  family,  and  in  the  contrast 
with  the  prospect  of  a  situation  which  holds  out  to  all  rea- 
sonable expectation  much  comfort  and  happiness,  you  can 
be  at  no  loss  to  estimate  the  present  situation  of  my  mind 
and  feelings. 

"  Thus  far  I  may  say,  that  with  your  advice,  which  would 
always  be  as  gratefully  received,  as  it  would  be  kindly  offer- 
ed, and  the  assistance  of  that  grace  w^hich  is  the  promise  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  I  would  hope  to  fill  the  sta- 
tion at  least  with  respectability. 

"  I  am,  Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir,  yours,  &c. 

"  G.  T.  Bedell. 

*'  Saturday,  Qth  October,'''' 


96  MEMOIROF 

After  this  absence  during  the  warm  season,  he  returned  in 
the  autumn  to  Fayette ville,  in  a  good  degree  improved  in  health. 
He  came  to  the  conchision,  however,  a  conclusion  in  which 
all  his  friends  seem  to  have  concurred,  that  it  was  quite  indis- 
pensable for  him  to  remove  to  a  more  northern  settlement. 
And  in  the  spring  of  1822,  the  determination  for  this  re- 
moval was  carried  into  effect.     He  had  resided  in  Fayette- 
ville  three  years  and  a  half,  and  in  that  time  had  witnessed 
the  rising  of  the  Church  under  his  care  to  eminent  prosperi- 
ty and  usefulness.     The  congregation  had  greatly  increased 
in  number  ;  the  number  of  communicants  had  become  also 
much  enlarged,  and  many  seals  had  been  divinely  affixed  to 
his  ministry  in  the  conversion  of  souls  to  Christ,  even  among 
some  of  the  most  influential  citizens  of  the  place.     He  had 
become  deeply  attached  to  this  flock,  and  participated  most 
keenly  in  the   sorrow  which  was  felt  by  them,  when  the 
separation  appeared  inevitable.      He  had  been  also,  during 
his  residence  in  Fayetteville,  very  active  and  useful  in  for- 
warding the  general  concerns  of  the  Church.     He  had  made 
very  large  collections  for  the  General  Theological  Seminary 
then  in  New-Haven,  and  had  been  a  very  efficient  agent  for 
the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society.     And  in  both 
these  institutions,  he  continued  always  to  feel  a  deep  in- 
terest.    His  reputation  and  influence  were  not  confined  to 
his  own  flock,  but  were  so  established  and  extended  through- 
out the  diocese  of  North  Carolina,  that  a  committee  of  gen- 
tlemen waited  upon  him  with  the  request  that  he  would  re- 
main among  them,  and  accept  the   office  of  their  Bishop. 
His  own   feeble  health,  however,  absolutely  required  the 
projected  departure,  and  he  felt  entirely  inadequate  to  remain, 
even  in  reference  to  such  an  opening  for  usefulness.     He 
left  the  Church  of  which  he  had  been  the  pastor,  in  a  most 
flourishing   condition,   and  the   whole    community  united 
in  their  tribute  of  respect  and  affection  for  his  character 
and  ministry.     A  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  has 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  97 

Stated,  that  in  passing  through  Fayetteville  shortly  after  his 
removal,  he  could  meet  with  none,  even  in  the  business  for 
which  he  was  there,  without  hearing  expressions  of  com- 
mendation upon  his  character,  and  of  deep  regret  for  the  loss 
which  they  had  sustained.  This  people  never  ceased  to 
cherish  for  him  the  warmest  affection.  While  he  lived,  he 
maintained  with  them  a  constant  reciprocation  of  expres- 
sions and  acts  of  friendship  ;  and  after  his  death,  they  trans- 
mitted to  his  widow,  through  the  following  letter  of  their 
Rector,  resolutions  most  affectionately  expressive  of  their 
recollections  of  him,  and  their  gratitude  for  his  services. 

"Fayetteville,  Sept.  18,  1834. 

"  My  Esteemed  Friend,  Mrs.  Bedell, — 

"Other  considerations  than  a  mere  compliance  with  the 
request  embodied  in  the  above  resolution  of  my  vestry, 
powerfully  incline  me  to  send  you  a  letter  of  condolence 
upon  the  recent  afflictive  dispensation  which  has  lacerated 
your  breast. 

*'  You  were  all  once  resident  within  this  parish.     Here, 

the  labours  of  our  departed  friend  were  put  forth.     Here  are 

living  seals  to  his  ministry.     Here  you  are  all  held  in  sweet 

remembrance.     Where  is  the  breast  among  us  that  does  not 

deeply  sympathize  in  your  severe  bereavement  ?    Still,  my 

dear  madam,  under  our  affliction,  let  us  not  be  unmindful  of 

the  truth,  that  He  who  made  the  sun,  '  made  the  stars  also,' 

and  that  a  host  of  these  diminutive  lights  combine  to  soften 

and  enlighten  the  gloom  which  they  cannot  dispel.     And  O, 

how  many  considerations,  furnished  by  inspiration,  combine 

to  alleviate,  at  least,  the  affliction  which  it  is  the  will  of  God 

you  should  endure.     Consider  the  world  from  which  our 

friend  has  departed ;  an  '  evil  world,'  labouring  under  the 

curse  of  its  Maker.     Consider  the  '  corruptible  body'  from 

which  our  friend  is  delivered  ;  a  body  '  sown  in  weakness.' 

I 


98  MEMOIROF 

Consider  the  conflict  which  has  ceased  for  ever,  his  conflict 
'  with  principalities  and  powers.'  Consider,  moreover,  my 
dear  madam,  the  maturity  of  our  lamented  friend,  for  the  en- 
joyment of  that  *  crown  of  righteousness  which  the  Lord, 
the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  him  at  that  day.'  Con- 
sider his  deep  and  unwearied  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the 
Redeemer  '  who  loved  him  and  gave  himself  for  him  ;'  his 
noble  testimony  to  the  power  and  sufficiency  of  Christ  for 
life  and  salvation.  Truly,  He  who  *  made  the  stars  also,' 
hath  not  less  originated  in  his  blessed  word,  innumerable 
considerations  to  cheer  and  to  sustain  your  mind  under  the 
gloom  of  its  bereavement.  If  from  considerations  of  com- 
fort in  relation  to  the  deceased,  we  turn  to  survey  the  clus- 
ter which  hangs  over  his  offspring,  we  shall  be  no  less 
cheered  with  the  promises  which  illume  the  sacred  word. 
When  has  the  seed  of  the  righteous  been  forsaken  ?  When 
has  not  the  Father  of  spirits  more  than  filled  the  chasm 
which  his  providence  had  created  ?  What,  though  periods 
of  seeming  indifference,  long  and  dreary,  have  intervened, 
the  Father  in  heaven  has  never  failed  to  vindicate  his  truth. 
A  redeeming  spirit  has  gone  forth.  Its  energies  have  arrest- 
ed the  seed  of  the  righteous ;  they  have  repented  under  its 
influence,  believed  the  gospel,  and  will  doubtless  vindicate 
the  faithfulness  of  Him  who  hath  promised  to  the  fatherless 
his  own  divine  guidance  and  affection.  Nor  to  your  own 
mind,  my  dear  madam,  will  there  be  wanting  many  endear- 
ing considerations  to  enliven  the  gloom  which  cannot  be  dis- 
pelled. In  relation  to  yourself,  you  will  doubtless  see,  in 
this  afflictive  stroke,  but  a  more  infallible  mark  of  divine 
love.  Dry  is  the  rod,  indeed,  but  we  know,  that  in  the 
sanctuary  it  can  be  made  to  bud  and  blossom  and  bring  forth 
fruit,  no  less  conducive  to  your  own  spiritual  welfare,  than 
to  the  glory  of  Him  who  is  the  '  husband  of  the  widow,'  her 
defender,  her  present  peace  and  never-ending  reward.  With 
the  kindest  regard  to  yourself,  to  Miss  T ,  and  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  99 

the  children,  allow  rae  the  place  in  your  remembrance,  of  a 
friend  and  brother  in  Christ. 

"  Jarvis  B.  Buxton." 

When  Mr.  Bedell  had  determined  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
remove  from  North  Carolina,  the  city  of  New- York  again 
presented  the  chief  attraction  to  his  mind.  There,  were  all 
the  associations  of  his  youth,  and  chiefly  there,  the  various 
ties  which  united  him  to  others  in  life.  His  aged  father, 
disqualified  by  his  infirmities,  for  contributing  any  thing  to 
his  own  support,  and  his  sisters,  whose  affection  for  him 
had  ever  been  requited  with  the  most  assiduous  attention, 
were  still  very  anxious  for  his  residence  amongst  them  ;  and 
much  of  the  comfort  of  the  whole  family  seemed  dependent 
upon  his  ability  to  gratify  this  wish.  To  this  point  his  plans 
were  at  this  time  again  directed.  These  beloved  relatives 
were  necessarily  looking  to  him  for  their  pecuniary  support, 
and  through  the  whole  of  his  remaining  life,  their  wants 
were  never  disappointed.  In  this  great  duty  his  heart  was 
much  engaged.  When,  amidst  his  own  infirmities,  he  some- 
times expended  larger  sums  than  usual,  on  means  calculated 
to  benefit  his  own  health,  he  would  say,  "Life  has  few 
charms  for  me,  oppressed  with  the  weight  of  this  languid 
body ;  but  upon  the  continuance  of  my  life,  how  much  the 
comfort  of  others  depends  ;  six  of  my  dearest  earthly  objects 
the  Lord  has  seen  fit  to  cast  entirely  on  my  feeble  efforts 
for  support."  He  cheerfully  sustained  this  burden,  and  out 
of  the  income  which  he  received  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  be- 
side the  whole  expense  of  the  annual  support  of  his  father 
and  sisters,  he  secured  a  life  annuity  for  his  father,  in  the 
event  of  his  surviving  himself.  Such  proofs  of  filial  grati- 
tude and  love  are  too  exemplary  and  valuable  to  pass  unno- 
ticed. How  truly  did  they  exhibit  that  spirit  which  the 
Lord  conferred  upon  him  in  an  eminent  degree,  "seeking 
not  his  own  things,  but  the  things  which  are  Jesus 
C^lirist's  J" 


100  ME  MO  I  R   OF 

When  he  determined  upon  making  this  removal  in  the 
spring  of  1822,  he  had  no  particular  opening  before  him. 
His  own  feehngs,  as  has  been  seen,  all  appeared  to  centre  in 
New- York.  But  there  seemed  no  prospect  of  any  settle- 
ment for  him  there.  Some  friends  in  New-England,  where 
he  had  exercised  an  agency  for  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society,  had  expressed  the  desire,  that  he  would 
make  a  visit  to  that  section  of  the  country,  with  the  hope  that 
there  might  be  found  room  there,  for  the  exercise  of  a  minis- 
try which  had  now  become  so  well  known,  amd  so  highly 
esteemed.  He  intended  accordingly,  to  go  in  that  direction 
for  a  short  time,  until  he  should  see  where  his  duties  were 
to  be  finally  discharged.  He  mentions  this  in  a  letter  to 
Bishop  Hobart,  of  March  10,  1822,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  give  an  account  of  his  agency  for  the  General  Theologi- 
cal Seminary. 

*'  I  shall  pass  through  New- York,  in  a  journey  eastward, 
about  the  time  of  your  Convention.  My  circumstances  will 
not  allow  me  to  be  destitute  of  a  situation,  and  my  wife's 
health  demands  that  I  should  forsake  this  southern  country. 
Whither  I  shall  bend  my  steps,  I  know  not.  I  am  persuaded 
that  it  will  not  become  me,  to  make  any  further  efforts  in 
reference  to  Trinity.  Should  I  fail  in  all  attempts  at  a 
favourable  settlement  in  the  northern  states,  I  must  return  in 
the  winter,  to  the  south,  where  I  can  find  suflncient  employ- 
ment. This,  however,  will  be  but  a  last  resort,  as  a  southern 
settlement  is  neither  congenial  to  my  health  nor  my  feelings. 
I  leave  here  on  the  12th  of  April,  to  attend  the  Convention 
in  Raleigh,  and  then  proceed  immediately  to  place  my  fami- 
ly at  Hudson,  and  go  from  thence  into  Massachusetts. 
"  With  every  sentiment  of  respect, 

*'  I  remain,  your  servant, 

"  G,  T.  Bedell." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  101 

But  though  his  own  plans  were  so  unsettled,  the  plan  of 
God  in  regard  to  him  was  fixed.  He  was  ignorant  to  what 
point  he  should  finally  direct  his  steps.  But  God  prepared 
a  residence  for  him,  in  which  he  should  receive  all  the  com- 
forts which  could  attend  his  ministry  in  life  ;  and  a  place  of 
labour,  in  which  his  talents,  and  knowledge,  and  piety, 
should  be  brought  into  thorough  and  adequate  exercise,  as 
an  instrument  of  important  and  everlasting  good  to  others. 
While  he  was  making  arrangements  for  his  removal  from 
Fayette  ville,  he  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Allen, 
of  Philadelphia,  urging  him  to  pay  a  visit  to  that  city,  on  his 
way  to  New- York.  There  was  a  vacancy  in  the  United 
Churches  in  that  city,  for  which  Mr.  Allen  was  very  de- 
sirous he  should  be  heard  as  a  candidate.  This  vacancy, 
however,  being  filled  before  the  departure  of  Mr.  Bedell  from 
Fayetteville,  his  attention  was  called  by  the  same  reverend 
brother  to  a  plan  for  collecting  a  new  congregation  in  the 
same  city.  In  reply  to  this  letter,  Mr.  Bedell  thus  wrote  to 
Mr.  Allen : — 

"  Fayetteville,  March  26th,  1822. 

*'  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  received  yours  this  morning,  mentioning  the  appoint- 
ment of  Mr.  D.  The  mere  assistantship  to  the  Bishop,  is 
not  a  situation  which  I  should  have  particularly  desired.  I 
should,  however,  have  been  pleased  with  a  residence  in 
Philadelphia. 

"  You  speak  of  an  effort  to  build  one  or  two  new  churches. 
I  would  suppose  there  might  be  room  for  them  in  Philadelphia, 
but  as  to  their  ever  being  built,  that  is  quite  another  matter. 
Episcopalians  generally  have  the  reproach  of  being  backward, 
and  they  have  not  the  zeal  and  activity  of  other  denomina- 
tions, who  seize  on  every  opportunity.     I  hope  it  will  not 

always  be  so.      It  is  my  intention,  God  willing,  to  be  in 

i2 


102  MEMOIR   OF 

Philadelphia  on  the  first  or  second  Sunday  in  May,  and  as  I 
probably  shall  not  find  a  situation  altogether  agreeable  to  my 
feelings  immediately,  I  should  be  willing,  after  I  have  placed 
my  family  at  Hudson,  to  return  and  spend  a  few  weeks 
with  you,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  giving  what  portion  of 
leisure  I  may  be  master  of,  to  the  furtherance  of  any  views 
in  Philadelphia,  which  the  friends  of  the  Church  may  deem 
important.  And  whether  it  should  ultimately  be  of  any 
benefit  to  myself  or  not,  it  would  gratify  me  to  assist,  by  any 
means  in  my  power,  in  the  establishment  of  a  new  church.  I 
would  be  willing  to  go  so  far  as  to  promise,  that  unless  I 
should  be  engaged,  and  receive  a  call  elsewhere,  I  would 
render  such  occasional  assistance  through  the  summer,  as 
might  tend,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  to  the  general  good. 
Write  to  me,  and  let  me  know  more  distinctly  what  the  views 
of  the  people  are,  in  reference  to  any  new  establishment. 

"  Your  afi'ectionate  Friend  and  Brother, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

After  Mr,  Bedell  had  left  Fayetteville,  he  again  addressed 
the  same  friend  from  Richmond,  Virginia: — 

*'  Richmond,  April  29th,  1822. 

"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  am  now,  according  to  my  uncle's  request,  supplying 
his  pulpit,  during  his  Episcopal  tour  in  North  Carohna,  but 
shall  leave  here,  God  willing,  on  Wednesday,  the  8th  of 
May,  and  if  prospered  in  our  journey,  shall  be  with  you  on 
Saturday  the  11th.  I  shall  make  every  possible  effort  to 
accomplish  this  object.  Your  kind  invitation  to  take  up  our 
abode  with  you  during  our  short  stay,  will  be  gratefully  ac- 
cepted, provided  it  will  not  put  you  to  inconvenience,  as  you 
must  recollect  my  family  is  considerable.  I  charge  you  to 
be  candid  and  tell  me,  if  we  are  likely  to  expose  you  to  any 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  10.3 

inconvenience.  We  shall  stay  in  Philadelphia,  if  advisable, 
eight  or  nine  days.  I  shall  then  place  my  family  in  Hud- 
son, and  return  to  Philadelphia,  or  not,  as  may  be  the  sub- 
ject of  future  conversation. 

"  Your  Friend  and  Brother, 

*'  G.  T.  Bedell." 


104  MEMOIR   OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 


ARRIVAL  IN  PHILADELPHIA EFFORTS  OF    REV.  B.  ALLEJf INTIMACY 

BETWEEN  THEM DEATH  OF  MR.  A. MR.  BEDELl's  FUNERAL  SER- 
MON  ANNIVERSARY  SERMON EARLY  EFFORTS  IN  PHILADEL- 
PHIA  SUCCESS     OF     HIS     MINISTRY OPENING     OF    ST.     ANDREw's 

CHURCH, 


In  the  early  part  of  May,  1822,  Mr.  Bedell  arrived  with  his 
family  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Here  he  found  a  wel- 
come reception  at  the  house  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Allen.  The 
plan  which  Mr.  A.  had  suggested,  of  forming  a  new  congre- 
gation in  this  city,  had  originated  with  himself,  and  had  thus 
far  been  suggested  to  very  few  beside.  This  devoted  ser- 
vant of  the  Lord  had  been  but  about  six  months  settled  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, where  he  was  now  fixed  as  the  Rector  of  St.  Paul's 
Church.  But  his  heart  longed  for  the  spiritual  increase  and 
strengthening  of  the  Church  of  God.  And  though  himself 
comparatively  a  stranger,  and  hardly  having  had  time,  for 
any  other  man  than  one  so  active  and  diligent,  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  his  own  duties  and  charge,  he  planned  the 
noble  enterprise,  in  which  he  desired  Mr.  Bedell  now  to  en- 
gage. The  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Allen,  his  brother,  gives  the 
following  account  of  his  connexion  with  the  commencement 
of  this  important  undertaking : — 

*' After  Mr.  Bedell  had  preached,  my  brother  suggested  to 
some  of  his  friends,  the  importance  of  retaining  him  in 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  105 

the  city,  and  the  necessity  of  immediate  arrangements  being 
made  for  that  purpose.  The  suggestion  was  received  by 
them  with  astonishment,  and  it  was  considered  as  next  to 
impossible  for  any  thing  effectually  to  be  done.  My  bro- 
ther, in  a  very  prompt  and  decided  manner,  answered.  It 
can  be  done,  it  must  be  done,  a  meeting  must  be  called. 
He  induced  a  few  to  assemble  together,  to  talk  over  the 
matter.  Appearances,  however,  were  unfavourable ;  all 
hearts  were  discouraged,  except  my  brother's :  even  Mr. 
Bedell  was  unwilling  to  pursue  the  object  further,  and  anxious 
to  proceed  on  to  the  North.  Bui  my  brother  constrained  him 
to  remain. 

*' Finally,  on  Wednesday  evening.  May  15th,  only  four 
days  after  Mr.  B.'s  arrival,  and  at  the  close  of  the  Wednes- 
day evening  lecture,  when  Mr.  Bedell  had  preached  in  St. 
Paul's  Church,  my  brother  assembled  a  few  of  his  fiiends  in 
the  small  room  under  the  pulpit,  and  induced  them  to  view 
the  subject  in  all  its  bearings,  and  at  once  to  draw  up  and 
sign  a  call  to  Mr.  Bedell  for  one  year,  obligating  themselves 
to  pay  him  twelve  hundred  dollars ;  though  at  the  time,  they 
really  knew  not  where  it  was  to  be  obtained ;  but  persuaded 
that  the  cause  was  the  Lord's.     Mr.  Bedell  accepted  this  call. 

"  Shortly  after  this  decisive  movement,  another  meeting 
was  called,  when  sixteen  individuals  obligated  themselves, 
each  to  raise  five  hundred  dollars  towards  the  erection  of  a 
new  church.  One  of  the  gentlemen  who  was  enlisted  in 
the  above  engagement  informed  me,  that  when  my  brother 
called  upon  him,  and  urged  him  to  make  himself  responsible 
for  five  hundred  dollars,  his  situation  was  such,  that  he  posi- 
tively refused.  The  subject  was  so  pressed  upon  him,  how- 
ever, and  my  brother  promising  to  see  that  he  was  not  injured, 
making,  in  fact,  himself  responsible  for  the  amount,  the  gen- 
tleman finally  consented. 

"  Another  circumstance  in  connexion  with  this  astonish- 
ing movement  was,  that  among  the  conspicuous  individuals 


106  MEMO  IR   OF 

in  this  scene,  there  were  but  two  men  of  capital.  But  this 
was  indeed  the  Lord's  work,  and  he  was  carrying  it  on  by 
his  own  means. 

"My  brother  was  thus  made  the  instrument,  against  a 
strong  current  of  opposition  and  conflicting  interests,  of  urg- 
ing on  this  work  step  by  step,  until  he  saw  the  house  of  God 
rising  to  its  completion. 

"  In  this  whole  work,  the  pure  disinterestedness  of  my 
brother's  soul  was  ever  prominent.  Some  of  the  ardent 
friends  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  not  taking  with  him  that  en- 
larged view  of  the  subject,  were  induced  to  remonstrate  with 
him.  They  observed,  why  Mr.  Allen,  you  do  not  consider 
what  you  are  doing !  If  this  work  goes  on,  you  will  injure 
yourself,  and  St.  Paul's  Church  will  go  down  !  My  brother 
answered,  *  /  am  persuaded  that  there  is  a  work  for  Mr. 
Bedell  to  do  here,  and  if  my  Redeemer's  Kingdom  is  ad- 
vanced, what  matter  how  soon  I  fall  ?'' — Yea,  the  love  of 
Christ  constrained  him,  and  he  cheerfully  gave  up  his  bosom 
friends  to  the  work.  May  the  Lord  be  praised  for  influenc- 
ing the  hearts  of  men  to  engage  in  this,  his  own  good  work; 
for  this  Church,  St.  Andrew's,  is  now  one  of  the  most  pro- 
minent in  Philadelphia,  for  the  number  and  respectability  of 
its  worshippers ;  the  number  and  spirituality  of  its  commu- 
nicants ;  the  number  and  prosperity  of  its  Sunday  schools, 
and  the  amount  of  its  contributions  to  benevolent  objects." 

After  having  received  and  accepted  this  unexpected  call, 
Mr.  Bedell  went  with  his  family  to  New-York  and  Hudson, 
according  to  his  previous  design.  Here  his  family  remained 
until  the  autumn.  The  scene  which  had  now  opened  before 
him  for  his  ministry,  was  entirely  new.  Though  it  had 
many  circumstances  of  attraction,  it  required  him  also  to  en- 
counter many  difliculties  in  entering  upon  its  duties.  All  the 
plans  which  he  had  hitherto  cherished,  were  now  turned 
aside.     His  aged  father  felt  a  deep  sorrow  in  the  disappoint- 


REV.    DR.     BEDELL.  ,  107 

ment  to  the  hopes  which  he  had  again  formed,  of  having  his 
only  son  settled  with  himself.  Mr.  Bedell  refers  to  this  in 
the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Allen,  written  just  after  he  had 
left  Philadelphia : — 

"New- York,  May  27th,  1822. 
*'  My  Dear  Brother, — 

"After  a  very  pleasant  journey,  we  reached  here  on  Satur- 
day by  10  o'clock ;  and  we  had  a  very  disageeable  scene  to 
pass  through,  when  my  father  learned  that  I  had  determined 
to  go  to  Philadelphia.  At  nearly  the  age  of  the  good  old 
Patriarch,  and  in  a  similar  state  of  feeling,  he  was  almost 
ready  to  say,  '  all  these  things  are  against  me.'  I  trust,  how- 
ever, that  he  will  find,  as  did  the  Patriarch,  that  God  orders 
his  dispensations  for  the  best. 

"  The  only  fear  that  is  entertained  on  any  hand  by  my 
friends  is,  that  those  engaged  may  get  lukewarm  and  not  go 
on.  I  do  not  fear  it  myself ;  and,  under  God,  I  am  perfectly 
willing,  in  their  good  faith,  to  cast  in  my  lot  among  them. 
I  would  say  again,  that  it  is  extremely  important  that  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  commencing.  The  Lord  be  with  you. 
Your  friend  and  brother." 

It  is  dehghtful  to  record,  that  this  aged  man  did  find  his 
apprehensions  disappointed,  and  lived  for  eight  years  more, 
to  witness  the  excellence,  eminence  and  prosperity  of  his 
son,  and  to  be  fed  and  sustained  by  him  too,  as  the  Patriarch 
was  by  his  Joseph  in  Egypt. 

Mr.  Bedell's  intimate  connexion  with  Mr.  Allen  continued 
until  the  death  of  the  latter.  During  his  present  absence 
from  Philadelphia,  he  addressed  the  two  following  letters  to 
him,  which  display  his  mind  and  feelings  under  two  most 
interesting  aspects. 


108  MEMOIR   OF 

New-York,  May  29th. 
"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  have  just  received  yours,  and  am  glad  that  all  things 
go  on  well.  I  am  afraid  that  there  will  be  a  stronger  oppo- 
sition in  Philadelphia  than  we  had  imagined.  I  was  in  com- 
pany this  morning,  where  I  heard  that  Bishop  Hobart  had 
expressed  himself  in  terms  of  disapprobation  of  my  conduct 
in  Philadelphia,  founded  on  some  notice  he  had  received 
from  Bishop  White,  either  by  message,  or  by  letter,  I  could 
not  learn  which.  It  was  stated  that  Bishop  White  had  been 
entirely  neglected  on  the  subject — not  consulted  at  all,  and 
that  he  felt  very  much  surprised." — "With  the  respect 
which  I  have  always  had  for  Bishop  White,  I  should  be  very 
sorry  that  he  should  be  unfavourably  impressed  towards  me, 
because  it  is  my  intention  to  deserve,  and  my  wish  to  have, 
the  good  feelings  of  the  Bishop  and  all  his  clergy. 

"  I  mentioned  to  Bishop  White,  that  not  having  received 
my  letters  dimissory,  I  did  not  feel  justified  in  saying  any 
thing  to  him  ;  and  it  was  my  intention,  as  soon  as  I  should 
receive  my  letters,  to  give  them  to  him,  and  then,  (as  only 
then  I  could,)  put  myself  under  his  direction.  If  you  could 
feel  justified  in  speaking  to  him  on  this  subject,  it  might  be 
of  use,  as  it  is  one  of  my  most  earnest  desires  that  I  should 
not  come  to  Philadelphia  under  any  disadvantages. 

"  You  are  at  liberty  to  make  use  of  my  remarks  to  Bishop 
White,  if  you  see  fit.  ^ 

"Your  affectionate  Brother, 

"G.  T.  Bedell." 

Hudson,  June  29th. 
"  My  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  find  an  advantage  in  another  point  of  view.  While  in 
Philadelphia,  my  mind  was  so  engrossed  by  the  new  Church, 
that  I  have  reason  to  fear  too  much  selfishness  mingled  with 
my  feelings,  and  that  the  glory  of  our  blessed  Master  was 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  109 

not  the  feeling  so  entirely  predominant  as  it  ought  to  have 
been.  I  have  more  time  and  more  disposition  for  examina- 
tion, and  I  trust  that  my  residence  here  a  short  time,  may  be 
of  advantage,  not  more  to  body  than  to  spirit.  How  hard  it 
is  to  bring  self  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  What  a  contempti- 
ble ambition  it  would  be,  to  be  merely  desirous  to  be  Rector 
of  a  fine  Church  in  Philadelphia.  I  do  feel  that  I  have  a 
much  nobler  ambition  than  this,  and  I  desire  to  be  instru- 
mental in  bringing  some  souls  to  Christ,  and  I  pray  against 
the  leaven  of  pride  and  selfishness,  which  are  thorns  in  the 
sides  of,  I  fear,  too  many.  May  God  of  His  grace,  make 
me  to  feel  what  a  poor  vile  thing  I  am,  that  I  may  always 
know  my  place. 

"Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ  Jesus, 

"G.  T.  Bedell.'' 

In  his  succeeding  intercourse  with  Mr.  Allen,  there  was 
always  the  mutual  confidence  of  true  affection,  and  unity  of 
purpose,  in  the  great  work  in  which  they  were  engaged  to- 
gether. Their  mutual  efforts  were  remarkably  overruled 
and  prospered,  for  the  spreading  and  exciting  the  spirit  of 
vital  piety  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  not  only  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  but  even  throughout  the  whole  United  States. 
When  Mr.  Allen  was  called,  in  1829,  to  the  presence  of  his 
Lord,  Mr.  Bedell  was  requested,  by  the  vestry  of  St.  Paul's 
Church,  to  deliver  there  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the  afflictive 
event.  From  this  discourse  I  shall  select  a  few  extracts,  as 
being,  from  Mr.  Allen's  connexion  with  Mr.  Bedell's  minis- 
try in  Philadelphia,  interesting  in  this  portion  of  our  present 
biography. 

"  I  am  called  before  you  this  morning,  my  friends,  to  per- 
form a  very  melancholy  duty ;  and  a  duty,  from  which  I 
would  most  gladly  have  shrunk,  had  I  not  been  convinced, 
that,  under  all  the  circumstances,  Providence  seemed  to  point 

K 


110  ME  MO  IR   OF 

me  out  for  the  performance.  The  close  intimacy  and  friend^ 
ship  which  existed  between  our  deceased  brother  and  myself — ■ 
more  so  than  between  him  and  any  other  of  his  brethren  of 
the  clergy,  now  within  reach — this,  together  with  the  wishes 
of  his  family,  early  expressed,  constitute  a  call  which  I  feel 
no  liberty  to  decline.  Would  to  God  that  I  could  discharge 
the  duty  with  an  ability  more  meet  for  the  occasion. 

"  Our  deceased  brother  was  a  man  whose  early  years  cor- 
responded with  the  exhortation  of  the  wise  man,  "  Remem- 
ber thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth." 

"  Our  brother  was  early  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
eternal  things.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  he  was  made 
experimentally  acquainted  with  the  saving  truths  of  religion, 
and  brought,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  to  the  enjoyment 
of  its  comforts.  It  was  his  habitual  practice  to  retire  for  the 
purpose  of  reading  the  Bible,  and  meditating  over  its  sacred 
pages,  and  of  pouring  out  his  soul  to  God  in  prayer  and  sup- 
plication. 

"I  cannot  forbear  to  mention,  that  like  the  late  lamented 
Legh  Richmond,  and  multitudes  of  others,  who  are  now 
numbered  with  the  saints  in  glory  everlasting,  our  brother 
traced  his  serious  impressions,  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
God,  to  the  prayers  and  the  instruction  of  a  pious  mother. 
Mothers  in  Israel!  what  a  responsibility  rests  upon  you, 
that  you  bring  up  your  children  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord.  Our  deceased  brother,  and  that  tender 
mother  who  taught  him  the  way  of  God  in  truth,  are  now 
together  in  glory. 

"  Our  brother  was  a  man  of  remarkable  disinterestedness. 
Here,  my  brethren,  as  on  most  of  the  points  which  I  have, 
and  on  which  I  shall  yet  touch,  I  can  say,  I  speak  that  which 
I  do  know,  and  I  testify  that  which  I  have  seen.  I  feel  not 
the  least  hesitation  in  saying,  that  I  have  never  yet  beheld 
the  individual  of  more  pure  and  perfect  disinterestedness. 
The  question,  how  will  such  a  thing  affect  me  personally, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  Ill 

never  entered  into  his  mind,  and  never  passed  his  lips.  How 
will  it  affect  the  cause  of  Christ,  was  his  only  question ;  and 
though  he  might  and  did  sometimes  judge  erroneously,  his 
motive  was  always  good.  I  can  prove  his  disinterestedness 
by  a  fact,  in  which  I.  am  personally  concerned.  He  knew 
that  he  himself  might  be  called  upon  to  suffer  reproach, 
and  even  the  deprivation  of  some  valuable  friends  of  his  own, 
and  of  this  Church,  by  encouraging  an  effort  first  suggested 
by  himself,  for  my  settlement  in  this  city.  But  time  and 
again  have  I  heard  him  declare,  that  the  cause  of  Christ  was 
his  object;  that  his  reproaches  and  his  disquiet  were  not  to 
be  put  in  competition  with  this  great  design.  And  when  he 
saw  the  large  and  flourishing  congregation  gathered  in  the 
Church,  whose  success  he  pushed  on  with  such  animated 
zeal  and  unwearied  effort,  I  never  heard  from  him  one  word 
but  that  of  gratulation  and  thanksgiving.  His  disinterested- 
ness was  a  most  noble,  shining  trait  in  his  character,  and  it 
will  endear  his  memory  to  mine,  so  long  as  it  shall  be  capa- 
ble of  retention.  But  this  same  trait  was  visible  in  a  thou- 
sand instances.  His  whole  life  was  one  continued  self-sacri- 
fice for  the  salvation  of  souls.  And  though  I  stand  not  here 
to  justify  all  the  measures  which  he  thought  right  to  pursue — 
it  would  be  false  friendship  for  me  to  attempt  it — yet  let  this 
my  testimony,  stand  as  long  as  I  have  breath  to  utter  it — for 
real  disinterested  desire  to  do  good,  I  know  not  his  equal. 

"Our  brother  was  a  man  of  faith  and  prayer. 

"  I  believe  it  to  be  the  lot  of  few,  even  of  the  true  disciples 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  have  a  more  steady  and  realiz- 
ing faith  in  the  promises  of  God.  In  the  darkest  seasons  of 
temporal  distress  ;  in  the  most  boisterous  and  perilous  periods 
through  which  the  Church  has  of  late  years  been  compelled 
to  pass  ;  amidst  all  the  evil  surmisings,  and  unkind  and  unge- 
nerous treatment  which  our  brother  has  been  called  upon  to 
endure,  an  unhesitating  trust  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  promises 
of  God  never  forsook  him  for  a  moment.     There  was  no 


112  MEMOIR   OF 

season  so  dark,  but  that  his  eye,  illumed  by  faith,  saw  the 

light  which  was  beyond ;  and  this  faith,  it  sustained  him. 

If  you  ask  how  it  was  that  with  him  this  faith  w^as  always 

in  such  high  and  lively  exercise,  it  can  only  be  answered  by 

the  fact,  that  he  was  a  man  of  prayer.     His  communication 

with  the   Father  of  spirits,  through  his   Son  Jesus  Christ, 

were  steady  :  and  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and  supphcation, 

his   own  spiritual   need,  his    temporal  exigencies  and  the 

welfare  of  his  own  Church,  and  the  Church  at  large,  were 

made  known  unto  God.     Prayer,  which  the  poet  beautifully 

calls  '  the  Christian's  vital  air,'  was  that  which  kept  alive  in 

his  bosom  all  the  fire  of  faith,  and  hope,  and  love.     I  can 

appeal  to  muhitudes  in  the  house  of  God  this  morning,  who 

can  testify  to  his  fervency  in  the  Church  ;  at  the  meetings 

for  special  supplication  ;  at  their  firesides,  and  at  the  beds  of 

sickness  ;  you  know,  my  friends,  that  these  things  are  so. 

God,  who  seeth  in  secret,  only  knows  how  much,  and  how 

often  he  poured  out  his  soul  in  ardent  supplication  that  you 

might  be  saved.  *  *  *  * 

"  Cherish  the  memory  of  your  deceased  pastor,  by  the 
character  of  the  individual  whom  you  shall  select  as  his  suc- 
cessor. Understand  me,  brethren  ;  I  speak  not  in  reference 
to  any  individual  upon  earth.  It  would  be  the  height  of  in- 
delicacy for  me  so  to  do.  But  I  speak  of  character  and  quali- 
fications. Choose  as  his  successor  one  of  the  same  evan- 
gelical views  and  feelings.  I  do  not  doubt  you  on  this  sub- 
ject, but  I  wish  to  warn  you  against  even  the  possibility  of 
any  other  course.  The  faithful  and  enlightened  followers 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  this  congregation,  constitute  its 
moral  and  also  actual  power.  Among  you,  let  there  be  no 
divisions.  With  worldly-minded  men,  and  on  worldly  prin- 
ciples, make  no  compromises.  Betray  not  the  cause  of 
Christ  on  any  consideration.  Let  any  circumstances  occur 
— let  any  pastor  be  chosen  who  should  not  carry  on 
your  lectures,  and  your   meetings   for  prayer,  and  your 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  113 

noble  Sunday-school  operations  ;  your  Bible-classes,  your 
methods  of  parochial  visitation  ;  your  whole  system,  hal- 
lowed by  the  labours  of  our  brother  and  his  sainted  pre- 
decessor, Pilmore,  and  then  on  these  walls,  and  on  this 
pulpit,  and  on  this  desk,  and  on  this  chancel,  will  be 
written,  ^IchabocV — the  glory  has  deparated.  For  your 
soul's  salvation,  and  for  the  children  whom  this  Church 
is  nurturing  for  eternity,  I  charge  you,  before  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  dead  at  his  appearing 
and  his  kingdom,  let  there  be  no  divisions  among  you.  If 
by  the  division  of  those  called  Christian,  advantage  should 
be  taken  to  change  the  character  and  circumstances  of  this 
Church ;  to  your  consciences  and  to  your  God,  it  never, 
never  can  be  answered.  In  the  present  state  of  affairs,  of- 
fences probably  will  come,  but  wo  to  that  man  by  whom  the 
offence  cometh.  Let  there  be  prayer  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  that  God  would  send  you  a  man  after  his  own  heart ; 
one  who  shall  go  in  and  out  before  you  in  the  fulness  of  the 
blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  be  a  faithful  shepherd 
of  the  sheep,  rightly  dividing  the  Word  of  Truth." 

On  the  succeeding  Lord's-day,  Mr.  Bedell  preached  the 
sermon,  from  which  I  have  given  these  extracts,  in  his  own 
Church,  (St.  Andrew's,)  and  added  to  it  the  following  intro- 
duction. 

"  Previous  to  entering  on  the  more  immediate  subject  of 
my  discourse,  I  feel  it  incumbent  on  me  to  anticipate  an  ob- 
jection which  may  naturally  arise.  It  may  seem  strange  to 
some,  that  I  should  preach  a  sermon  in  commemoration  of 
the  Rector  of  another  parish.  The  answer  to  this,  however, 
is  obvious  and  satisfactory  ;  for  besides  the  personal  intimacy 
and  friendship  which  existed  between  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen 
and  myself,  which  would  alone  be  a  sufficient  reason,  there  are 

peculiar  circumstances  connected  with  this  Church,  which 

k2 


114  MEMOIR   OF 

renders  it  an  act  of  justice  to  his  memorj^'.  By  a  series  of 
most  marked  providential  interferences,  it  was  through  the 
instrumentahty  of  Mr.  Allen,  that  my  attention  was  first 
directed  to  this  city.  And  when  I  passed  through  it,  seven 
years  ago,  it  was  his  perseverance  which  induced  me  to  re- 
main even  long  enough  to  preach.  And  when  this  Church 
was  projected,  there  are  many  now  here,  who  are  the  wit- 
nesses of  the  zeal  and  labour  with  which  he  pursued  the  ob- 
ject. And  he  never  ceased  to  exert  himself,  till  he  saw 
the  corner-stone  laid  with  solemn  religious  ceremonies,  him- 
self delivering  the  appropriate  address.  Under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God,  then,  I  consider  this  Church  as  indebted  much 
to  his  instrumentality,  and  that,  at  the  very  least,  it  becomes 
us  to  pay  some  public  demonstration  of  respect  to  his  me- 
mory. Let  this,  then,  serve  as  explanatory  of  the  reasons, 
why  I  have  deemed  it  expedient  and  proper  to  preach  before 
you,  as  far  as  the  different  circumstances  in  which  we  are 
placed  will  allow,  the  same  discourse  which  on  Sunday  last 
I  delivered  to  his  bereaved  congregation." 

In  proceeding  to  relate  the  efforts  and  success  of  Mr. 
Bedell  in  his  new  sphere  of  duty,  I  cannot  better  pursue  the 
course  of  history  from  the  commencement  of  the  enterprise 
in  which  he  was  engaged,  than  in  his  own  language.  The 
following  extract  is  from  a  sermon  preached  in  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  June  1833,  ten  years  after  the  completion  of  the 
edifice  and  the  first  collecting  of  the  congregation : — 

"  After  a  residence  of  four  years  in  one  of  the  Carolinas, 
circumstances,  the  details  of  which  would  be  uninteresting, 
induced  me  to  seek  a  residence  in  a  climate  which  I  considered 
more  congenial.  In  the  month  of  May  1822, 1  reached  this 
city  on  ray  way  to  New-York,  and  being  hospitably  enter- 
tained in  the  family  of  my  friend,  the  late  Rev.  Benjamin 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  115 

Allen,  I  was  induced  to  remain  and  officiate  for  him  in  St. 
Paul's  Church,  which  I  did  three  times  on  Sunday. 

"  On  Monday  morning,  some  of  the  leading  members  of 
that  Church  did  me  the  favour  to  call,  and  request  that  I 
would  delay  my  journey  to  New-York  for  a  few  days.  To 
this  proposition  assent  was  given  ;  and  on  the  Wednesday 
or  Thursday  following,  the  same  gentlemen  came  with  the 
proposition  that  I  would  establish  my  residence  in  this  city 
for  one  year,  they  pledging  themselves  for  my  support,  and 
to  an  effort  to  erect  a  Church  of  which  I  should  be  the  pas- 
tor. This  of  course,  I  being  entirely  disengaged,  was  con- 
sidered by  me  as  a  decided  indication  of  Providence  as  to  the 
course  of  duty,  and  the  offer  was  accepted.  During  a  few 
weeks  subsequent  to  this,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen,  with  the  gen- 
tlemen already  alluded  to,  were  actively  engaged  in  ascer- 
taining whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  build  an  additional 
Church.  They  had  no  doubts  as  to  its  necessity,  and 
although  much  reproached  and  opposed  by  some  who  were 
not  capable  of  taking  large  views  as  to  the  interests  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  they  determined  that  they  would 
carry  on  the  work.  After  many  meetings,  in  which  the 
blessing  of  God  was  continually  sought  to  aid  their  counsels 
and  endeavours,  it  was  determined  to  purchase  this  lot ;  and 
although  the  funds  to  which  they  could  confidently  look,  did 
not,  in  the  aggregate,  amount  to  $10,000,  the  work  was 
believed  to  be  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God,  and  in  faith  it 
was  commenced.  The  great  burden  of  responsibility  rested 
upon  two  gentlemen,  one  of  whom  departed  this  life  before 
the  work  was  completed,  the  other  lives,  and  holds  at  this 
day  one  of  the  only  two  offices  of  honour  which  the  Church 
can  give.  Delicacy  forbids  me  to  say  more,  yet  I  cannot 
leave  the  subject  without  this  remark,  that  whatever  of  pub- 
lic service  he  may  live  to  render,  this  house  will  be  the 
proudest  memorial  of  his  public  spirit,  for  it  was  carried  on 
with  the  contingency  of  great  personal  sacrifice.     The  same 


116  MEMOIROF 

may  be  said,  though  in  a  subordinate  degree,  of  every 
individual  concerned  in  this  incipient  undertaking.  But 
they  nobly  persevered,  and  the  result  of  their  perseverance 
I  need  not  at  this  time  consider. 

"  On  the  9th  day  of  September  1822,  the  corner-stone  of 
this  Church  was  laid  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  White,  with 
appropriate  religious  ceremonies,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen  having, 
as  the  earliest  friend  of  the  Church,  been  called  upon  to 
pronounce  an  address  upon  the  occasion.  This  address, 
with  other  documents,  was  placed  in  a  cavity  of  the  corner- 
stone, that  stone  lying  under  the  north-east  corner  of  the 
Church  building,  excluding  that  portion  which  is  called  the 
portico.  From  the  time  of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone,  the 
work  steadily  and  rapidly  progressed,  till  on  Saturday,  May 
31st  1823,  it  was  ready  for  consecration.  This  solemn  act, 
by  which  this  house  became  for  ever  set  apart  and  dedicated 
to  the  service  of  the  living  God,  was  performed  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.    Bishop    AVhile,    himself  preaching  the    appropriate 


sermon." 


During  the  year  1822,  in  which  the  Church  was  in  the 
process  of  erection,  his  time  was  occupied  in  the  collecting 
of  a  congregation,  and  uniting  and  moulding  the  energies  of 
those  who  were  to  be  connected  with  him  in  his  future  ef- 
forts. He  preached  among  the  different  churches  through 
the  summer,  generally,  as  we  find  by  his  records,  as  often 
as  three  times  on  each  Lord's-day.  In  all  the  churches  of 
the  city  he  was  welcomed  as  a  preacher ;  and  his  services 
were  gladly  sought,  for  occasions  when  there  was  a  special 
desire  to  make  an  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  commu- 
nity, or  to  enlist  their  interests  in  any  proposed  object. 
Probably  no  clergyman  of  any  denomination  has  ever  ac- 
quired and  sustained,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  so  large  a 
share  of  public  admiration  and  acceptance  as  a  preacher,  as 
Mr.  Bedell.     This  was  the  fact  upon  his  very  first  removal 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  117 

to  this  city.  Wherever  he  was  expected  to  preach,  a  large 
crowd  was  sure  to  be  present,  and  few,  it  is  believed,  went 
away  disappointed. 

Some  short  extracts  from  his  letters  to  Mrs.  B.,  who  was 
passing  the  summer  in  Hudson,  will  show  a  partial  view  of 
his  occupations  during  this  season. 

"  Philadelphia,  June,  1822. 

"  The  people  here  have  kept  me  busy,  for  I  cannot  refuse  to 
preach,  though  the  committee  do  not  wish  it.  On  Sunday 
last  I  preached  for  Mr.  Boyd  in  the  morning,  and  a  charity 
sermon  in  the  African  Church  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  subject 
of  a  missionary  school  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  On  Friday 
night  I  preached  also.  To-morrow  night  I  am  to  preach  the 
anniversary  sermon,  before  the  Young  Men's  Auxiliary  Bible 
Society  of  this  city,  in  St.  James'  Church.  Very  much  is 
expected  of  me.  On  Sunday,  I  am  to  preach  in  the  morn- 
ing at  Christ  Church,  in  the  afternoon  at  Spring  Garden, 
and  at  night  at  St.  Paul's.  On  Monday,  God  willing,  it  is 
my  purpose  to  leave  here  for  Hudson.  My  plans  for  the 
summer  will  be  finished,  and  I  can  tell  them,  when  I  get  to 
Hudson.  The  new  Church  it  is  said,  from  the  drawings,  will 
be  the  handsomest  in  America.  The  lot  is  purchased  for 
fifteen  thousand  dollars,  but  immediate  possession  cannot  be 
taken,  as  there  are  nine  houses  to  be  pulled  down.  The 
corner-stone  will  not  be  laid  for  three  or  four  weeks,  though 
the  church  is  to  be  finished  by  May."  *  *  *  * 

"  Drank  tea  at ,  and  spent  the  whole  of  our  time  in 

conversing  on  religious  topics.  I  find  them  prodigiously  op- 
posed to  what  they  suppose  to  be  Calvinism,  yet  disposed  to 
believe  the  truth  ;  and  I  really  become  more  and  more  pleased 
with  their  dispositions  towards  seriousness.  I  see  that  a 
vast  field  is  opening  before  me,  and  we  must  pray  that  the 
Lord  will  bless  our  exertions. 

*  *  *  "  While  at  dinner,  I  was  called  away  to  see  a  young 


118  MEMOIR    OF 

lady  whose  mind  is  suffering  exceedingly.  Her  religious  im- 
pressions are  unusually  strong,  her  views  clear  and  striking, 
but  she  is  excessively  depressed.  I  was  with  her  about  two 
hours,  or  rather  she  was  with  me,  for  she  called  here,  and  I 
saw  her  in  the  front  room.  I  do  not  know  that  I  shall  be 
able  to  see  her  again,  as  her  mother  opposes  her  in  every 
thing  like  religion,  and  she  is  afraid  to  have  me  come  to  the 
house.  I  shall  endeavour,  however,  to  see  her  again,  and 
shall  venture  to  the  house,  if  there  is  no  other  opportunity. 

*  *  *  *  "  Went  to to  tea.  They  are  an  exceedingly  fine 

family,  though,  like  most  others  from  their  quarter,  have  I 
fear  heretofore  paid  very  little  attention  to  religion.     They 

are  now,  however,  very  regular,  and  I  was  told  by that 

considerable  impression  had  been  made  on  the  old  lady's 
mind  ;  that  on  Sunday  she  saw  her  after  Church,  with  tears 
in  her  eyes,  and  she  said  that  I  had  convinced  her  she  was 
very  wicked.  I  had  much  conversation  with  her  on  the 
important  topics  of  religion,  and  was  much  pleased. 

"  You  must  tell  my  precious  little  son,  that  I  have  been  so 
much  engaged,  that  I  could  not  write  to  him,  but  if  he  is  a 
good  boy,  I  shall  bring  him  something.  I  am  far  from  being 
well.  The  extreme  hot  weather  and  the  extra  exertion  I 
have  been  obliged  to  make,  have  overcome  me  a  good  deal. 
I  do  not  think  that  I  ever  knew  my  breast  in  so  weak  a  state. 
I  hope  when  I  see  you,  for  a  little  rest,  as  well  as  the  gratifi- 
cation of  being  with  you." 

In  the  autumn  of  1822,  he  commenced  a  regular  service 
for  the  benefit  of  his  own  congregation.  This  was  held  for 
a  time  in  the  Masonic  Hall.  Subsequently,  and  through  the 
succeeding  winter,  the  vestry  of  St.  James'  Church,  with 
great  liberality,  granted  to  him  the  use  of  their  house  of  wor- 
ship on  the  evenings  of  the  Lord's-day.  And  when  these 
services  were  closed,  preparatory  to  his  entrance  upon  the 
new  Church  which  had  been  erected,  they  permitted  him 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  119 

also  to  take  up  there  a  collection  for  the  benefit  of  his  new 
enterprise. 

His  preaching  during  this  year  was  eminently  useful. 
His  powers  as  an  orator  attracted  very  general  attention,  and 
the  directness  and  freedom  with  which  he  preached  the 
great  truths  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  constituting,  in  a  great 
degree,  an  advance  upon  the  general  style  of  preaching  pre- 
viously heard,  was  made,  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  especially 
effectual  in  the  conversion  of  souls  to  God.  His  reputation, 
which  had  spread  far  and  wide  in  the  Church  while  he  was 
at  Fayetteville,  prepared  the  way  for  great  interest  in  his 
efforts,  and  much  inquiry  for  them,  when  he  came  to  Phila- 
delphia; and  few  could  attend  his  ministry  there  and  listen 
to  his  powerful  appeals  without  impression,  while  the  Spirit 
of  God,  without  whom  all  human  labour  is  vain,  was  pleased 
to  make  them  "  quick  and  powerful,"  by  other  influence 
than  mere  human  energy  to  the  salvation  of  many.  One 
striking  incident,  among  others,  may  be  recorded  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  power  which  attended  his  preaching  at  this 
time. 

On  one  of  the  Sunday  evenings  during  the  winter  in  which 
he  was  preaching  at  St.  James'  Church,  a  dissipated  young 
man  was  passing  the  Church  with  a  number  of  gay  and 
thoughtless  companions,  when  their  attention  was  arrested 
by  the  sound  of  the  preacher's  voice.  Some  of  the  company 
exclaimed,  "  Come,  let  us  go  in  and  hear  what  this  man  has 
to  say,  that  every  body  is  running  after."  He  vociferated 
in  reply,  "  No,  I  would  not  go  inside  of  such  a  place,  if 
Jesus  Christ  himself  was  preaching."  On  another  evening, 
some  weeks  after,  this  young  man  was  again  passing  the 
same  place,  and  the  former  invitation  of  his  thoughtless 
companions  occurred  to  his  mind.  Being  alone,  and  with 
no  particular  object  in  view  at  the  time,  he  resolved  to  in- 
dulge a  momentary  curiosity,  if  he  could  effect  it  without 
being  observed.     On  opening  the  door  he  was  awed  by  tlie 


120  MEMOIR   OF 

solemn  silence  of  the  place,  though  the  house  was  exces- 
sively crowded.  Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  preacher, 
just  rising  to  commence  his  discourse.  He  mingled  in  the 
crowd  without  fear  of  observation  ;  but  his  attention  was 
suddenly  arrested,  and  he  was  riveted  to  the  spot,  by  the 
solemn  annunciation  of  the  text — "  I  saw  a  young  man  void 
of  understanding."  His  conscience  was  smitten  at  once  by 
the  power  of  truth.  The  sermon  progressed,  and  he  be- 
came more  and  more  convinced  that  he  was  the  "  young 
man  void  of  understanding."  A  view  of  his  profligate  life 
passed  before  his  eyes,  and  for  the  first  time  he  trembled 
and  was  humbled  under  the  consciousness  of  his  sin.  He 
heard  the  sermon  through,  and  was  the  last  person  to  leave 
the  Church.  He  gazed  with  an  intense  interest  on  the 
preacher,  until  he,  with  the  congregation,  had  passed  out  of 
the  Church.  He  found  himself  alone  in  the  house  before 
so  crowded,  and  walked  slowly  out  and  returned  to  his  home, 
conscience  presenting  to  his  astonished  view,  the  awful 
picture  of  ruin  in  this  world,  and  eternal  perdition  in  the 
world  to  come.  He  had  early  imbibed  the  awful  principles, 
and  adopted  the  habits  of  French  infidelity,  and  he  had 
these,  with  all  their  connecting  circumstances,  to  oppose  him 
in  the  new  views  which  he  had  been  compelled  to  take  of 
himself.  But  the  Spirit  which  had  aroused  him  in  his  folly, 
led  him  to  a  persevering  attendance  upon  the  ministry  of 
him  who  had  been  the  chosen  instrument  of  awakening  his 
mind.  His  proud  heart  was  made  to  yield.  He  cast  away 
his  besetting  sin,  and  made  his  new  arrangements  for  a  life 
of  virtue  and  holiness.  He  subsequently  made  a  profession 
of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  personal  devotion 
to  his  service,  and  has  been  made  one  of  the  seals  of  God  to 
the  apostleship  of  this  valued  minister  of  Christ. 

Another  interesting  incident,  though  of  a  somewhat  dif- 
ferent character,  may  be  introduced,  as  occurring  in  the 
same  year.     A  lady   in  South  Carolina,  who  was  well  ac- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  121 

quainted  with  Mr.  Bedell,  accidentally  mentioned  his  name 
in  the  presence  of  a  respectable  Presbyterian  clergyman, 
who,  attracted  by  the  name,  asked  her  if  she  knew  him. 
On  her  replying  in  the  affirmative,  he  took  her  by  the  hand 
and  said,  "  I  must  be  better  acquainted  with  you,  for  I  am 
exceedingly  interested  in  him."  She  asked  the  reason  of 
his  peculiar  interest  ?  He  answered,  "  The  last  summer  I 
was  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  when  he  visited  that  place 
I  attended  his  preaching  on  every  occasion  there,  and  am 
indebted  to  him,  under  God,  for  making  very  lasting  im- 
pressions on  my  mind,  and  altering,  in  a  very  important 
manner,  my  views  of  religion.  It  would  be  a  great  gratifi- 
cation to  me,  and,  if  I  were  able,  I  would  willingly  under- 
take the  journey  to  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  hearing 
him  preach  once  more."  When  this  circumstance  was 
related  to  Mr.  Bedell,  not  long  after  it  had  occurred,  he  re- 
marks in  reference  to  it,  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  B.,  "  It  is 
exceedingly  gratifying  to  me,  and  must  be  so  to  you,  for  of 
all  the  sources  of  gratification  which  a  clergyman  can  have 
in  this  present  world,  that  of  being  useful  is  the  most 
abundant,  and  I  am  hearing  every  day  of  persons  on  whose 
minds  serious  impressions  have  thus  been  made.  Let  these 
remarks,  however,  be  between  ourselves,  and  let  God  have 
all  the  glory,  for  '  Paul  may  plant,  and  Apollos  water,  but 
God  alone  can  give  the  increase.'" 

With  such  evidences  of  the  acceptance  and  power  of  God 
attending  his  ministry,  and  with  his  unusually  attractive 
manner  as  a  public  speaker,  it  is  not  surprising  that  much 
attention  should  have  been  awakened  by  him.  By  these 
continued  labours  he  prepared  the  way  for  the  opening  and 
occupation  of  his  Church  in  the  ensuing  spring,  and  the 
community  around  were  found  to  appreciate  the  worth  of 
his  services,  and  prepared  fully  to  sustain  the  effort  of 
private  enterprise  and  responsibility,  which  had  proceeded 
in  the  erection  of  the  house  of  God,  in  which  he  was  to 

L 


122  MEMOIR    OF 

preach  the  truth  of  Christ.  On  the  first  Sunday  of  Jund 
1823,  Mr.  Bedell  preached  for  the  first  time  in  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  which  had  been  consecrated  to  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God  the  day  previous.  A  large  congregation 
immediately  took  possession  of  the  Church,  which  continued 
to  increase  in  numbers  until  the  whole  house  was  fully 
occupied,  and  many  were  unable  to  gain  the  accommodations 
in  it  which  they  desired.  On  the  day  after  it  was  opened 
for  public  service,  the  sale  of  pews  amounted  to  $33,000, 
and  from  that  day  sales  were  gradually  efi'ected,  until  the 
accommodations  of  the  Church  were  all  disposed  of.  Of 
this  subject  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  the  temporal  concerns 
of  this  establishment  were  at  once,  and  have  always  since 
been,  in  the  highest  degree  prosperous. 

At  this  point  we  enter  upon  a  new  and  the  chief  depart- 
ment of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Bedell,  a  portion  of  it,  for 
which  his  whole  previous  ministry  seems  to  have  been  in 
a  good  degree  preparatory,  and  in  which  his  labours  were  a 
course  of  uninterrupted  and  wonderful  success  and  usefulness. 
We  have  traced  him  now,  from  his  childhood  to  the 
twenty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  We  have  seen,  in  what 
wise,  but  remarkable  methods,  God  mercifully  led  him 
through  various  difficulties  and  trials,  that  he  might  learn  in 
whom  alone,  he  was  to  live  and  conquer  ;  and  how  gradually 
but  rapidly  also,  his  mind  had  been  opened  to  embrace  the 
gospel,  and  his  ministry  had  been  directed  and  enlarged,  to 
be  useful  to  mankind.  He  had  now  attained  a  period  in 
his  life,  at  which  his  experience  had  sufficiently  matured, 
and  his  mind  had  become  adequately  improved  and  furnish- 
ed, to  enter  upon  the  vast  sphere  of  duty  which  God  had 
provided  for  him  in  Philadelphia.  Here  he  was,  as  he  was 
designed  to  be,  "  a  burning  and  a  shining  light;"  "  an  epistle 
known  and  read  of  all  men  ;"  occupying  a  station  in  which 
he  must  be  influential ;  and  exercising  an  influence  through- 
out the  country,  which  has  done  more  perhaps  than  that  of 


,  REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  123 

any  other  individual  in  his  time,  to  promote  the  revival  of 
evangelical  preaching  and  piety  in  the  Episcopal  Church, 
and  to  render  the  Church  an  object  of  remark  and  attraction 
to  other  surrounding  denominations  of  Christians.  From 
this  time,  however,  his  history  and  ministry  are  not 
so  much  to  be  traced  by  distinct  events,  as  by  charac- 
teristic principles, — principles  which  are  easily  identified, 
and  very  strongly  marked.  His  health,  which  had  suf- 
fered much  in  the  climate  of  Carolina,  had  become  con- 
siderably improved.  He  was  still,  in  comparison  with 
others,  a  feeble  and  delicate  man,  and  never  released  from  a 
large  amount  of  bodily  suffering.  But,  for  four  years  suc- 
ceeding the  commencement  of  his  labours  in  St.  Andrew's 
Church  when  compared  with  his  succeeding  years  to  the 
close  of  his  life,  he  was  in  moderate  health,  and  able  to  ac- 
complish a  very  great  extent  of  pastoral  labour  and  public 
duty.  From  his  entrance  upon  his  duty  as  a  pastor  in  this 
important  field  of  labour  to  the  close  of  his  life,  his  history 
is  entirely  identified  with  that  of  his  Church.  The  success 
with  which  he  laboured  in  it  has  been  abundantly  manifested 
by  the  results  which  have  been  produced.  The  eyes  of  the 
whole  community,  not  only  in  the  city  in  which  he  lived, 
but  in  the  Episcopal  Church  throughout  the  United  States, 
have  been  turned  with  deep  and  inquiring  interest  upon  this 
instance  of  successful  labours.  No  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  has  exceeded  this  in  spiritual  or  temporal 
prosperity,  and  very  few  have  been  able  at  all  to  equal  it. 
The  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  have  been  seen  to  rest 
abundantly  upon  it,  in  the  numerous  conversions  of  sinners 
to  God,  and  in  the  united  and  energetic  efforts  of  professing 
Christians  for  the  promotion  of  the  great  objects  of  Chris- 
tianity among  men.  The  clergy  have  looked  upon  the 
ministry  of  Dr.  Bedell,  as  remarkable  for  its  very  successful 
character,  and  have  desired  to  understand  more  intimately, 
the    instrumentality  which    was  employed  to  produce  the 


124  MEMOIR    OF 

important  results  which  have  been  seen  to  be  attained.  One 
great  object  of  the  present  memoir  is  to  attempt  an  adequate 
exhibition  of  his  system  of  ministry,  in  answer  to  the  in- 
quiring spirit  with  which  its  course  has  been  observed  by 
those  who  have  witnessed  it.  This  cannot  perhaps  be  bet- 
ter done  than  by  tracing  successively  his  efforts  and  plans  in 
the  various  departments  of  his  pastoral  duty,  through  the 
eleven  years  in  which  he  was  connected  with  this  important 
Christian  enterprise.  Such  a  course  will  be  likely  to 
exhibit  his  ministry  as  a  whole  ;  and  as  he  could  truly  say, 
in  reference  to  his  labours  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  "  this 
one  thing  I  do,"  it  will  be  adapted  also  to  display  the  history 
of  his  own  life  in  the  circumstances  which  distinguished  it 
from  this  time  to  its  close. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  125 


■  ti 


CHAPTER  V. 


HIS     CHARACTER     AND     POWER     AS    A    PREACHER SERMON    FOR    THE 

GREEKS INTERESTING    INCIDENTS    ILLUSTRATING  THE  EFFECT  OF 

HIS  PREACHING MANNER  AS  A  PREACHER. 

In  the  exhibition  which  I  desire  to  make,  of  the  character 
and  labours  of  *Dr.  Bedell  as  a  minister  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  it  will  be  undoubtedly  proper  to  present  him  first, 
as  a  preacher.  Though  he  was  remarkable  in  the  fulfilment 
of  every  duty  of  the  ministry,  after  his  heart  had  become 
truly  engaged  in  his  great  work,  as  a  preacher  he  was 
especially  distinguished.  None  could  have  heard  him 
without  remembering  and  appreciating  the  peculiar  attri- 
butes of  his  oratory,  and  the  distinct  and  powerful 
exhibitions  which  he  made  of  the  truth  of  God.  Those 
who  have  heard  him,  will  not  consider  the  present  account 
of  him  in  any  degree  exaggerated. 

His  method  of  preaching,  had  become  in  a  great  degi'ee 
formed  and  settled,  at  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Philadelphia  ; 
though  it  improved  and  advanced  in  its  excellent  characteris- 
tics, in  every  subsequent  year,  as  his  own  experience  and 
knowledge  were  enlarged.  Probably  no  ambassador  for 
Christ  has  ever  attained  a  style  of  preaching  better  calcu- 

*  The  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  on  him  by  the 
Trustees  of  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  a  few  years 
after  his  removal  to  Philadelphia. 

l2 


126  MEMOIR   OF 

lated  to  arrest  the  attention  of  an  audience,  and  to  guide  and  in- 
form that  attention  aright,  than  was  the  one  which  he  selected. 
He  habitually  dwelt  in  his  sermons,  upon  those  great  truths 
of  the  gospel  which  are  revealed  in  the  redemption  of  sin- 
ners through  the  obedience  and  death  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  which  were  given  to  make  men  "  wise  unto 
salvation."  These  truths  he  exhibited  in  a  singularly  clear, 
intelligible,  and  faithful  manner,  as  the  sermons  which  have 
been  offered  in  print  to  the  consideration  of  the  public,  will 
manifest.  They  were  the  unceasing  source  of  comfort  and 
strength  to  his  own  soul,  and  he  delighted  to  exhibit  them 
to  others  in  a  manner  which  should  make  them  perfectly 
plain  and  intelligible  to  all.  This  was  the  chief  peculiarity 
of  his  preaching.  He  ceased  not,  in  the  most  direct  and 
simple  manner,  "to  teach  and  to  preach  Jesus  Christ;"  the 
peculiar  intelligence  of  God's  redeeming  love  for  sinners  ;  as 
the  appointed  instrument  in  the  divine  hand  of  everlasting 
good  to  their  souls.  The  necessity  and  danger  of  man  as  a 
lost  being ;  the  wonderful  grace  and  power  of  "  God  manifest 
in  the  flesh,"  as  the  sinner's  glorious  substitute  and  Saviour  ; 
the  glorious  work  of  the  Spirit  in  forming  men  anew  for 
God ;  were  his  theme  in  public,  and  from  house  to  house. 
He  was  never  wearied  in  the  consideration  of  these  truths 
himself,  and  he  feared  not  the  wearying  of  others  by  their 
repeated  declaration.  Christ  was  "  all  in  all"  in  his  ad- 
dresses to  the  souls  of  men.  No  sermon  of  his  could  be 
heard,  without  the  opportunity  to  gain  from  it  a  plain  and 
distinct  delineation  of  the  sinner's  wants  and  the  Redeemer's 
grace;  and  a  knowledge  of  that  blessed  path  in  which  the 
wayfaring  man  need  not  err. 

Connected  with  this  remarkable  directness  in  the  exhibi- 
tion of  the  truth,  there  was  in  his  style  of  composition,  a  sim- 
plicity which  never  soared  above  the  understandings  of  the 
illiterate  or  the  young,  and  yet  never  descended  to  the  least 
mixture  of  vulgarism  or  coarseness.     None  who  heard  him 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  127 

could  fail  to  comprehend  him,  and  yet  none  who  heard  were 
ever  able  to  despise.  United  with  the  simplicity  of  style, 
there  was  an  equal  simplicity  of  manner,  which  added  yet 
more  to  the  ease  with  which  he  was  heard  and  understood. 
He  was  very  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  his  oratory,  and 
has  been  regarded  by  those  best  qualified  to  judge,  as  a  model 
of  chaste,  dignified,  and  impressive  elocution.  He  was  en- 
tirely removed  from  every  thing  like  parade,  or  noise,  or  vio- 
lence in  voice  or  gesticulation.  He  never  preached  himself. 
There  was  no  attempt  at  effect,  save  the  all-important  effect 
of  reaching  the  conscience  and  heart  of  the  sinner,  and 
bringing  him  back  in  subjection  unto  God.  His  open  and 
clear  method  of  illustration  and  argument,  like  the  glass  of 
the  astronomer,  was  estimated  in  its  value  by  him,  wholly 
by  the  distinctness  with  which  it  brought  "  heavenly  things" 
before  the  vision  of  man.  As  others  listened  to  him,  they 
too  forgat  the  preacher ;  and  tliere  seemed  to  be  nothing  so 
arresting  and  peculiar,  as  the  unaffected  simplicity,  with 
which  he  would  tell,  over  and  over  again,  the  story  of  man's 
redemption,  and  urge  upon  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  mercy  which  this  redemption  offered,  with- 
out any  apparent  disposition  to  add  attractive  ornament  to  the 
plain  facts  of  the  case.  In  this  attribute  of  his  preaching  he 
excelled  all  whom  I  have  ever  heard  beside,  and  this  undoubt- 
edly was  the  secret  of  his  surprising  success.  He  stood 
before  men  as  the  mere  instrument  of  God,  and  though  pos- 
sessed of  peculiar  ability  to  instruct  and  amuse  upon  multi- 
plied topics,  he  poured  out  all  that  he  had,  and  all  that  he 
was,  before  the  cross  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  was 
himself  concealed,  as  he  desired  to  be,  for  the  sake  of  the 
great  truth  behind  which  he  stood,  for  its  exhibition  to  men, 
and  to  which  alone  he  wished  to  attract  their  minds.  He 
has  often  remarked,  that  it  was  his  wish,  as  far  as  possible,  to 
present  "  the  whole  gospel"  in  every  sermon,  that  none  of 
his  hearers  should  have  the  plea  of  ignorance,  though  they 


128  BIEMOIR    OF 

should  never  have  an  opportunity  to  hear  again.     In  the  ful- 
filment of  this  desire  he  succeeded  to  a  singular  extent. 

There  was,  in  his  manner  of  preaching,  indisputable  evi- 
dence of  that  unfeigned  love  for  the  souls  of  his  hearers, 
with  which  he  was  constrained.  He  was  often  earnest,  and 
solemn,  and  commanding  in  his  manner  and  expression,  to  a 
degree  which  made  his  hearers  tremble  while  they  listened. 
A  breathless  silence  reigned  throughout  the  crowded  audi- 
ence which  he  generally  addressed.  But  there  was  never 
the  remotest  aspect  of  harshness,  either  in  his  language  or 
his  utterance.  He  boldly  declared  the  sinner's  dangers  ;  he 
laid  open  before  him  the  full  wages  of  his  transgression.  He 
warned  him  with  the  utmost  earnestness,  to  "  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come."  But  he  did  it  all  in  that  kind  and  tender 
manner  which  manifested  indubitable  sympathy  in  the  sor- 
rows which  he  described,  and  a  "heart's  desire  and  prayer 
to  God"  that  his  hearers  might  be  saved.  His  general 
choice  of  subjects  gave  full  utterance  to  the  kindness  and 
anxiety  of  his  own  heart.  As  a  man  who  was  "  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  infirmities,"  he  presented  constantly  to  men, 
the  precious  invitations  and  encouragements  of  the  gospel, 
"  beseeching  them  to  be  reconciled  to  God."  The  language 
of  denunciation  was  not  familiar  to  him  ;  but  the  language  of 
affectionate  and  earnest  expostulation  was  his  chosen  instru- 
ment, and  made,  by  the  divine  blessing,  to  a  remarkable  de- 
gree, successful  in  accomplishing  his  great  work. 

He  had  great  facility  in  employing  all  the  varied  acquire- 
ments of  his  mind,  for  the  illustration  of  the  great  truths 
which  he  wished  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  his  hearers. 
His  desire  to  make  himself  perfectly  intelligible  to  all,  some- 
times gave  to  his  discourses,  in  the  view  of  some  of  his  hear- 
ers, the  appearance  of  being  too  superficial.  He  was  perfectly 
aware  of  the  possibility  of  this  imputation,  but  still  adhered  to 
his  chosen,  simple  method  of  exhibiting  the  truth.  He  would 
devote  himself  sometimes  through  a  whole  sermon,  to  a  sin- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  129 

gle  leading  thought,  the  remembrance  and  understanding  of 
which  he  deemed  important,  and  hold  it  up  to  view  in  a  suc- 
cession of  varying  aspects ;  and  throw  upon  it,  successive 
light  and  shade,  until  he  had  accomplished  his  end  of  fastening 
it  upon  the  recollection  of  those  whom  he  addressed.  When 
he  had  thus  selected  a  single  spot  of  ground  for  his  cultiva- 
tion, he  would  roam  in  fields,  unthought  of,  perhaps  unknown 
by  his  hearers,  to  gather  from  these  multiplied  sources,  their 
various  ornaments  to  enrich  and  beautify  his  chosen  plat. 
Every  branch  of  experimental  science,  and  every  portion  of 
the  history  of  man,  lent  its  aid  in  turn,  to  illustrate  the  sacred 
subjects  which  he  displayed.  It  was  often  surprising  how 
appropriate,  facts  familiar  to  the  minds  of  many  of  his  hear- 
ers, and  even  the  most  apparently  trifling  occurrences  of  the 
passing  day,  became  in  his  hands,  for  the  exemplification  of 
the  truths  to  which  he  brought  them.  An  instance  illustrat- 
ing this  remark,  may  be  gained  from  two  most  impressive 
and  useful  sermons  which  he  delivered  from  the  text,  "  he  is 
despised  and  rejected  of  men,"  at  the  time  that  West's  cele- 
brated painting  of  "  Christ  Rejected,"  was  exhibited  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.  Multitudes  had  flocked  to  see  this 
work  of  art,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  popularity  of  the  exhi- 
bition, he  threw  all  the  illustrations  which  it  presented,  into 
these  sermons,  and  made,  as  he  wished,  by  it,  a  deep  im- 
pression upon  the  minds  of  his  hearers.  This  power  ren- 
dered him  always  interesting  as  a  public  speaker,  and  never 
failed  to  engage  and  gratify  the  attention  of  those  who  heard 
him.  Persons  entirely  unconcerned  about  religious  truth, 
would  be  arrested  by  his  style  of  address ;  and  while  his 
words  appeared  to  them  in  this  beauty  of  exhibition,  "like 
apples  of  gold  in  a  net-work  of  silver,"  they  were  often 
found  to  be  also,  "words  fitly  spoken,"  "spoken  in  sea- 
son," in  the  power  with  which  they  were  brought  upon  their 
hearts.  This  characteristic  of  his  preaching  has  engaged 
the  attention  of  multitudes,  with  unceasing  delight.     The 


130  MEMOIR   OF 

fruits  of  a  mind  enriched  with  the  knowledge  of  the  past  and 
the  present,  adorned  by  a  contemplation  of  the  beauties  of 
nature,  and  strengthened  by  the  researches  of  science,  were 
thus  brought  together,  consecrated  to  God,  sanctified  by 
grace,  and  poured  out  before  the  feet  of  the  crucified  Jesus, 
and  all  made  to  do  their  part  in  proclaiming  his  truth  to  men ; 
as  the  daughters  of  Israel  presented  their  ornaments  of  gold, 
their  garments  of  beauty,  and  the  products  of  their  skill  and 
taste  in  needlework,  to  furnish  and  adorn  the  tabernacle  of 
the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

In  this  uncommon  skill  in  the  power  of  illustration,  he 
was  able  to  make  his  preaching  intelligible  and  attractive, 
even  to  the  youngest  of  his  auditors.  The  restlessness  of 
childhood  was  stilled  before  him,*  and  little  children  were 
often  among  his  most  admiring  and  improving  hearers. 
Some  instances  may  be  related  which  remarkably  illustrate 
this  fact.  A  little  boy  of  eight  years  old,  who  accompanied 
a  relative  to  St.  Andrew's  Church,  remarked  to  her  on  his 
return,  "  this  is  the  first  sermon  that  I  ever  understood.  I 
never  did  love  to  go  to  Church,  but  I  think  I  should  love  to 
go  there,  and  perhaps  I  might  grow  as  good  as  my  mother 
wants  me  to  be."  Another  little  boy  of  twelve  years  old, 
belonging  to  St.  Andrew's  Church,  who  was  confined  to  a 
bed  of  sickness  when  the  death  of  his  pastor  was  made 
known  to  him,  said  in  reply  to  that  intelligence,  "  O,  mo- 
ther, now  dear  Dr.  Bedell  will  receive  that  bright  crown  of 
righteousness  he  used  to  tell  us  about.  Do  you  not  remem- 
ber, a  great  while  ago,  when  he  said,  henceforth  there  is  laid 
up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the 
righteous  judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day?"  At  a  subsequent 
time,  this  little  boy  said  to  a  friend  of  another  denomination,  who 
was  sitting  by  him,  "  You  never  heard  Dr.  Bedell :  O,  I 
wish  you  had,  you  could  never  forget  it;  he  was  so  solemn 
and  so  sweet  when  he  told  us  about  heaven  ;  he  has  gone 
there  now  himself."     These  incidents  are  simply  designed  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  131 

show  how  much  those  minds  which  are  generally  most  heedless 
and  ungoverned,  could  be  interested  by  his  style  of  address. 
The  popularity  of  his  preaching  was  undoubted  and  exten- 
sive. Wherever  he  went,  he  was  sought  for  and  welcomed. 
His  services  were  always  desired  in  behalf  of  public  objects, 
in  connexion  with  which,  others  wished  to  produce  a  strong 
impression  upon  the  minds  of  the  community.  There  were 
so  many  instances  of  this  in  his  ministry,  that  it  appears  dif- 
ficult to  select  an  illustration  for  my  purpose.  The  following 
correspondence,  however,  will  show  how  highly  his  talents 
and  popularity,  in  the  light  in  which  we  are  contemplating 
them,  were  estimated  by  some  of  the  most  respectable  gen- 
tlemen in  the  community,  who  were  in  no  way  personally 
connected  with  himself.  The  letters  will  themselves  explain 
the  occasion. 

*'  Philadelphia,  Jan.  5,  1827. 
Reverend  Sir,— 

"  It  is  by  the  direction  of  the  General  Committee  appoint- 
ed by  our  fellow  citizens,  to  take  measures  for  affording  some 
prompt  aid  to  the  Greeks,  and  in  their  behalf,  we  have  the 
pleasure  to  address  this  note  to  you. 

"  The  cause  which  this  oppressed  and  suffering  people 
have  so  long  prosecuted  with  unequalled  constancy  and  he- 
roism— is  it  not  the  cause  of  Christianity  not  less  than 
liberty  ? 

"  Small  aggressions — involving  essential  principles  of  in- 
terest or  honour — often  provoke  nations  to  resort  to  the  ex- 
treme measure  of  redress.  Assistance  may  be  yielded  to 
those  who  suffer  by  fire  or  deluge,  by  famine  or  pestilence — 
unless  to  these  be  superadded,  more  insupportable  than  all — 
the  tyranny  of  the  oppressor ;  but  then,  though  he  be  the 
Turk,  and  Christians  be  the  oppressed — efficient  will  not, 
and  charitable  aid  in  any  shape  or  of  any  kind,  cannot  be 
granted  by  the  government  of  a  Christian  people,  lest  it  may 


132  MEMOIROF 

give  occasion  of  umbrage,  and  endanger  one  branch  of  our 
commercial  pursuits  ! 

"  We  leave  these  matters,  however,  to  the  decision  of  those 
to  whom  it  rightfully  belongs,  not  without  our  own  hopes 
and  prepossessions. 

"  But  to  give  food  and  raiment  to  the  hungry  and  the  naked, 
to  the  aged,  the  women  and  the  children,  this  is  a  privilege, 
in  which,  as  individuals^  we  may  surely  be  permitted  to  in- 
dulge, without  violating  social  duty,  or  international  law,  and 
without  offending  in  any  way,  against  religion  or  morality. 

"  It  is  with  this  view  that  our  fellow  citizens  have  con- 
sulted, and  the  Committee  are,  consequently,  taking  their 
measures,  and  it  is  hoped  that  by  the  opening  of  the  naviga- 
tion of  the  Delaware,  charity  will  have  placed  at  their  dispo- 
sal the  means  of  despatching  at  least  one  ship  with  a  suitable 
cargo  for  the  Mediterranean. 

*'  Having  made  this  explanation  of  our  purpose,  in  which 
we  cannot  but  believe  we  have  your  heartfelt  concurrence, 
we  beg  you  to  inform  us  whether  it  will  be  consistent  with 
your  personal  convenience,  and  your  many  pastoral  cares,  to 
afford  your  co-operation,  by  pronouncing  a  discourse  in  one 
of  our  houses  of  public  worship,  with  a  view  to  a  pecuniary 
collection  ? 

"  Should  you,  after  consideration,  return  us  a  favourable  an- 
swer, we  will  have  the  pleasure  of  concerting  with  you  the 
preparatory  arrangements. 

"  We  are,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  most  obedient  Servants, 

W^M.  Meredith, 

N.  Chapman,       [^Committee. 

Paul  Beck,  Jr. 

"  To  the  Rev.  G.  T.  Bedell." 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  133 

"  Monday  Morning,  Jan.  8. 
"  Gentlemen, — 

"In  consequence  of  engagements  which  kept  me  from  re- 
ceiving your  note  until  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  I  have 
not  been  able  to  return  you  an  answer  till  the  present  mo- 
ment. There  are  few  subjects  in  which  my  sympathies  are 
so  deeply  engaged,  as  in  the  present  unhappy  condition  of 
the  poor  and  persecuted  Greeks ;  and  it  affords  me  a  high 
gratification  to  understand,  that  our  fellow  citizens  are  making 
a  strenuous  effort  to  minister  to  their  present  most  touching 
necessities.  I  am  not  much  versed  in  matters  of  national 
policy,  but  I  may  be  permitted  to  regret,  that  as  a  nation,  we 
cannot  give  to  this  oppressed  people,  struggling  for  freedom, 
such  assistance  as  would,  under  Providence,  cause  their  eman- 
cipation from  a  servitude,  not  only  abject  and  degrading,  but 
whose  mildness  is  ferocity,  and  whose  mercy  is  indescribable 
cruelty. 

"  I  agree  with  you,  that  to  give  food  and  raiment  to  the 
hungry  and  the  naked — to  the  aged — the  women  and  chil- 
dren, is  a  privilege  in  which,  as  individuals,  we  may  surely 
be  permitted  to  indulge,  without  violating  social  duty,  or  in- 
ternational law — or  without  offending  in  any  way,  against 
religion  or  morality  ;  and  in  this,  your  benevolent  object,  I 
wish  you  success  even  beyond  your  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions. 

"  In  reply  to  your  question,  whether  it  will  be  consistent 
with  my  personal  convenience  and  pastoral  duties,  to  co-ope- 
rate with  you,  by  pronouncing  a  discourse  in  one  of  the 
houses  of  public  worship,  with  a  view  to  a  pecuniary  collec- 
tion, I  have  to  reply,  that  in  a  concern  like  this,  my  personal 
convenience  does  not  enter  into  the  consideration  ;  and  I 
know  of  no  interference  with  my  pastoral  duties.  If  it  shall 
continue  your  purpose  to  pursue  this  plan,  I  will  afford  you 
what  poor  assistance  I  may  be  able ;  and  shall  hold  myself  in 

M 


134  MEMOIR   OF 

readiness  to  deliver  a  discourse  at  any  such  time  as  you  may 
see  fit  to  appoint. 

"  With  the  most  sincere  desire  that  you  may  fully  succeed 
in  your  benevolent  design, 

"I  remain,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  obedient  Servant, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell. 

Wm.  Meredith, 


IDITH, ') 

[,  Jr.  J 


N.  Chapman,       ^Committee." 
Paul  Beck,        ^ 

"February  27,  1827. 

"  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Committee  for  the  relief  of 
the  Greeks,  it  was  unanimously  ordered.  That  the  grateful 
acknowledgments  of  this  Committee,  for  the  able  and  truly 
eloquent  appeal  in  behalf  of  our  Greek  brethren,  pronounced 
at  St.  Paul's  Church,  on  Monday  evening  last,  by  the  Rev. 
Gregory  T.  Bedell,  be  entered  on  their  minutes. 

"  And  it  was  in  like  manner  resolved.  That  Matthew 
Carey,  Wm.  Meredith,  and  Turner  Camac,  Esq's.,  be  a 
committee  to  request  of  that  reverend  gentleman  a  copy  of 
his  discourse,  and  to  take  immediate  order  for  its  being 
printed  and  distributed. 

"  And  that  the  same  committee  wait  upon  Mr.  Bedell  with 
a  copy  of  the  minute  of  these  proceedings. 

*' Signed,  by  order, 

"  Matthew  Carey,  Chairman. 
"  Attest, 

"  James  N.  Barker,  Secretary.' 


»> 


"  To  the  Committee  for  the  relief  of  the  Greeks, 

"  Gentlemen, — 

*'  If  the  discourse  which  was  preached  at  your  solicitationy 
and  of  which  you  have  taken  such  favourable  notice,  can  in 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  135 

the  least  be  made  useful  in  advancing  the  interests  of  the  un- 
happy people,  "our  brethren,"  for  whom  your  sympathies 
have  been  so  nobly  excited,  and  your  exertions  so  vigorously 
and  perseveringly  made — it  is  yours,  to  do  with  as  you 
please.  With  it  you  have  my  best  wishes  and  prayers  for 
the  success  of  the  cause  itself. 

"  I  remain.  Gentlemen,  yours,  &e. 

"  G.  T.  Bedell. 
"March  1st,  1827." 

The  sermon  here  referred  to,  was  delivered  in  one  of  the 
largest  churches  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The  house 
and  yard,  and  even  the  street  around,  were  intensely 
crowded.  Yet  the  speaker's  voice  was  heard  over  the  whole 
with  surprising  distinctness.  But  it  was  an  effort  which 
cost  him  much.  His  health  was  materially  injured  by  the 
exertion  which  he  made  on  this  occasion.  Some  extracts 
which  I  make  from  the  conclusion  of  this  very  popular  ser- 
mon, will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  reader. 

"I  have  now,  my  friends,  placed  before  you,  the  princi-  ^ 
pal  relations  by  which  the  Greeks  are  united  to  us,  as  our  \ 
brethren  ;  and  I  have  sought  to  show  you  the  duty  which 
rises  out  of  such  relationship.  It  is  gratifying  to  remark, 
that  in  plans  of  beneficence  like  this,  there  is  a  promptitude 
in  the  people  of  our  country,  which  is  truly  national.  Let 
but  the  tale  of  any  great  public  calamity  reach  our  ears,  and 
our  people  are  instantly  on  the  alert,  to  mitigate  the  evil.  In 
reference  to  the  subject  especially  before  us,  a  generous 
movement  of  compassion  seems  to  have  pervaded  the  land ; 
and  one  feeling  of  the  necessity  of  some  active  exertion  to 
meet  the  urgency  of  the  case,  appears  to  animate  almost 
every  bosom.  I  need  not  seek  to  stimulate  your  efforts  by 
pointing  you  to  what  has  elsewhere  been  accomplished ;  and 
I  would  that  the  rivalry,  which  exists  between  yours  and  a 


136  MEMO  IR   0  F 

sister  city,  were  always  in  so  good  a  cause.  But  what  others 
have  done,  is  a  matter  of  small  moment  to  us  ;  our  obliga- 
tions are  not  to  be  graduated,  nor  our  sensibility  measured 
by  efforts  elsewhere  made.  The  plain  path  of  duty,  which 
is  before  us,  and  the  urgent  claims  of  our  perishing  brethren, 
are  sufficient  to  stimulate  us  to  the  most  intense  exertion.  As  to 
a  people  then,  whose  sympathies  have  already  been  awakened 
into  effort,  I  might  safely  leave  the  cause  to  plead  in  its  own 
resistless  language  ;  for  there  is  no  eloquence  equal  to  the 
eloquence  of  the  fact,  that  these  poor  victims  of  Turkish  op- 
pression, who  now  lift  the  supplicating  voice  to  you,  are 
your  brethren.  Yes,  they  are  dear  to  you,  on  the  score  of 
the  common  relationship  of  man  to  man  ;  still  more  dear,  be- 
cause the  very  height  of  their  earthly  ambition  is,  from  the 
deepest  debasement  of  slavery,  to  attain  a  liberty,  which  ren- 
ders our  country,  the  oasis  of  the  world.  They  are  still 
more  dear,  because,  though  it  is  under  the  darkness  of  super- 
stition, they  profess  the  same  religion  on  which  our  fondest, 
brightest  hopes  are  built.  As  men,  in  whose  bosoms  the 
common  feelings  of  humanity  are  not  yet  blunted,  I  ask  you 
for  a  liberal  benefaction. I  As  Americans,  who  would  desire 
that  the  genial  influence  of  liberty  should  be  felt  by  others 
as  weU  as  by  yourselves,  I  call  you  to  a  patriotic  effort.  As 
inhabitants  of  a  city,  whose  name  is  synonymous  with  kind- 
liness and  charity,  I  ask  you  not  to  disappoint  the  high- 
wrought  expectations  of  the  country.  }  But,,  when  I  come  to 
you,  and  make  the  appeal  of  the  suffering  Greeks,  because 
you  are  a  people,  called  by  the  name  of  Christians,  I  feel  as 
if  I  had  a  demand  upon  you  for  a  peculiar  sympathy  ;  and  I 
come  to  you  with  this  cause,  in  the  name  of  Him  whose 
command  is  the  real  Christian's  law.  Is  it  a  small  thing, 
that  a  people  blessed  as  you  are  should  see  their  brethren 
perishing  by  famine  ?  Let  me  tell  you  that  the  Greeks  are  a 
spectacle  to  the  world,  of  a  daily  martyrdom  for  the  faith  of 
Christianity.     It  is  their  profession  of  the  religion  of  the 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  137 

Cross,  which,  from  the  fall  of  Constantinople,  four  hundred 
years  ago,  to  the  present  hour,  has  armed  against  them  the 
wildest  fanaticism,  and  the  fiercest  vengeance  of  the  Turk. 
Let  them  renounce  the  religion  for  which  they  have  poured 
out  so  much  blood,  and  wept  so  many  tears ;  let  them  but 
bow  the  knee  in  the  name  of  Mecca's  prophet,  and  the  deed 
of  apostacy  would  change  every  foe  into  a  friend.  Living, 
as  you  do,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  religious  liberty,  you 
cannot  estimate  the  magnitude  of  the  trial  which  they  are 
compelled  to  endure  ;  and  your  conceptions  cannot  reach  the 
sublimity  of  the  sacrifices  they  are  daily  making.  Oh,  if 
there  are  any  in  this  assembly,  whose  hearts  are  warmed  by 
the  love  of  Christ,  can  you  withstand  the  appeal  of  the  mar- 
tyr, as  his  imploring  eyes  are  cast  upon  the  naked  and  the 
famishing  ?  If  there  is  one  pang,  which  rends  the  bosom  of 
the  patriot  Greek  with  unutterable  anguish,  it  is  that  which 
arises  from  the  anticipated  wretchedness  of  their  condition, 
whom  he  is  compelled  to  leave  behind  him  to  the  merciless 
foe,  or  the  horrible  alternative  of  want.  Could  he  but  be  as- 
sured that  the  hand  of  benevolence  would  discharge  the 
sacred  duty  of  clothing  the  naked,  and  feeding  the  hungry, 
one  portion  of  bitterness  would  be  abstracted  from  his  over- 
flowing cup.     And  will  ye  not  do  it  ? 

"  This  evening,  brethren,  we  sit  in  the  house  of  God ; 
peace  and  quietness  reign  in  this  large  and  populous  city ;  at 
our  homes,  we  have  left,  with  the  fearless  confidence  of  free- 
dom, (oh  !  blessed  be  God,  for  that  precious  privilege,)  many 
relations  and  friends  ;  and  our  children  with  none  to  harm 
them,  are  now  tasting  the  balmy  delights  of  nature's  sweet 
restorer.  When  we  return,  we  shall  meet  them,  as  they 
were  left, — in  safety  !  What !  have  we  no  gratitude,  that 
God  hath  cast  our  lot  in  a  land  so  secure,  so  blessed  ?  But, 
mark  the  terrific  contrast  of  your  suff*ering  brethren.  At  this 
very  moment !  ay,  while  I  am  speaking  to  you  this  evening, 

they  enjoy  not  one  blessing  in  common  with  you,  save  that, 

M  2 


138  MEMOIROF 

which  not  even  Turkish  oppression  can  destroy,  the  privi- 
lege of  a  secret  prayer  !  But,  now,  while  all  is  quiet  here, 
and  all  security  at  home,  are  there  thousands  of  fathers  and 
brothers  in  the  tented  field,  ready  for  the  mortal  conflict ; 
and  they  shall  never  see,  '  or  wife,  or  children  more,  or 
friends,  or  sacred  home.'  To-morrow  the  life-blood  of  their 
hearts  may  hallow  the  soil  which  it  flowed  to  rescue.  This 
moment,  in  the  cities  and  villages  of  Greece,  as  yet  not 
swept  with  the  '  besom  of  destruction,'  is  many  a  Grecian 

'  mother,  who,  as  she  strives  to  sooth  her  unconscious  babe 
to  sleep,  knows  not  whether  it  shall  see  the  light  of  another 
day  ;  she  knows  not  but  that  h^r  eye,  which  now  in  the  in- 
tensity of  agony,  watches  its  soft  slumbers,  may,  ere  the 
morrow,  through  their  own  death-film,  see  the  Turkish 
ataghan  pierce  its  tender  bosom.  Yes,  and  when  you  retire 
;:^from  this  Church,  as  the  evening  chill  forces  you  to  draw 

i  the  provided  covering  closer  round  your  bosoms,  oh  !  spare 
one  thought  to  those,  who,  in  the  mountain  fastnesses  of 
Greece,  feel  on  their  houseless  heads,  the  frost ;  and  through 
whose  scanty  vestments  the  night-wind  finds  an  unresisted 
passage.  To-morrow,  when  it  comes  to  you,  will  come  with 
comforts,  and  with  blessings  multiplied,  but  to  them  it  will  bring 
no  cheering  ;  for  to  the  cold  and  nakedness  of  the  night  will 
succeed  the  famine  of  the  day  ;  and  the  limbs  which  have 
rested  on  the  cold  damp  earth,  and  the  head  which  is  pillow- 
ed on  the  naked  and  inhospitable  rock,  will  find  no  respite 
from  pain  and  wretchedness  ;  because,  when  the  broken 
sleep  is  over,  hunger  and  thirst  will  urge  their  unpitying 
claims.  But,  brethren,  why  should  I  speak  thus  ?  Oh  !  thou 
most  merciful  Father  of  us  all,  is  it  necessary  that  such  un- 
wearied efforts  should  be  made  to  induce  a  people  like  these 
assembled,  to  feel  for  the  perishing,  the  tenderness  of  pity  ? 
Brethren,  I  beseech  you,  by  all  the  mercies  of  that  God  who 
hath  blessed  you  with  an  unsparing  hand,  turn  not  an  ear  of 
indifference  to  this  call  of  your  brother,  naked,  destitute, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  139 

desolate  and  perishing !    All  that  he  asks  for  himself,  for 
wife  and  children,  sufiering  the  accumulated  horrors  of  war, 
of  cold,  and  of  famine,  amounts  to  but  little  more  than  one 
morsel  of  bread,  and  one  cup  of  water.     Let  it  ring  in  your 
ears,  that  your  brother  is  perishing ;  and  the  once  proud,  the 
heroic  Greek,  sues  to  the  freeborn  Christian  son  of  America, 
for  the  crumbs  which  fall  from  his  table.     Are  you  not  born 
for  this,  their  season  of  adversity  ?  Can  you  be  called  to  the 
exercise  of  a  higher  and  a  nobler  beneficence  ?  Yes,  let  the 
world  be  told,  that,  though  considerations  of  national  policy 
may  have  forbidden  an  armed  interference  in  this  desperate 
struggle  for  life  and  liberty,  the  People  of  the  land  have,  as 
by  one  noble,  one  majestic,  one  simultaneous  movement,  an- 
swered to  the  call  of  Greece,  by  a  charity  as  extensive  as 
the  need.     I  will  not  fear  to  put  this  case  into  your  hands, 
and  trust  you  for  the  issue.     You  will  generously  prove  the 
birth-right  privilege  of  assistance  to  the  needy  and  the  famish- 
ing.    You  will  commission  some  swift  messenger,  whose 
feet  shall  be  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  ;  you  will  exhibit 
to  the  world  that  spectacle  of  the  moral  sublime,  the  sympa- 
thies of  a  people  roused  to  intense  exertion.     You  will  give 
wings  to  some  well-appointed  vessel,  and  she  shall  bear  over 
the  bosom  of  the  mighty  deep,  the  burden  of  your  generosi- 
ty ;  and  the  prayer  of  the  pious,  will  go  up  before  the  mercy- 
seat,  that  God  may  speed  her  on  the  way. 

"  Perhaps,  my  brethren,  when  your  bounty  shall  have 
reached  that  land  of  desolation  and  of  death,  the  fate  of 
Greece  will  have  been  decided ;  and  the  cymetars  of  the 
Turks  again  made  drunk  in  the  blood  of  her  sons  and 
daughters.  If  it  should  be  so  ! — if  these  barbarians  should 
have  become  the  unresisted  masters  of  Greece,  and  her 
epitaph  have  been  written  in  her  blood  ;  then,  one  noble 
satisfaction  will  be  yours,  that  you  have  discharged  a  high, 
a  sacred  duty.  You  will  have  washed  from  your  hands  all 
the  guilt  of  blood.     But,  my  friends,  I  anticipate  for  Greece 


140  MEMOIR     OF 

a  brighter  destiny.  I  will  not  allow  such  dark  and  dismal 
forebodings ;  for  though  the  cloud  is  heavy,  and  though 
torrents  fall,  and  though  the  lurid  lightning  descends,  and 
though  the  thunder  rolls, — hope  spreads  one  line  of  light 
upon  the  bosom  of  the  storm ;  and  anticipation  paints  the 
rainbow  on  the  cloud  as  it  retreats,  far,  far  away.  Oh,  if 
the  sun  of  freedom  shall  once  more  pour  on  this  land  its  full, 
warm,  vivifying  beam  ;  if  the  way  shall  be  prepared  by 
which  institutions  like  our  own  can  be  established,  where 
Solon  and  Lycurges  legislated ;  if  facilities  are  offered,  by 
which  the  religion  of  the  Son  of  God,  in  all  its  knowledge 
and  holiness  and  purity,  shall  take  the  place  of  ignorance 
and  superstition,  and  pollution  ;  and  the  Greek  experience 
that  moral  transformation  which  qualifies  him  by  the  new 
created  nobility  of  his  spiritual  condition,  to  rank  with  the 
people  of  the  Most  High  God,  both  here  and  hereafter  ;  and 
if  all  these  things  should  come  to  pass  tlirough  your  instru- 
mentality, blessed,  thrice  blessed,  will  be  the  effort.  Oh, 
yes  !  if  your  sympathy,  now  awakened,  should  rouse  the 
almost  despairing  energy  of  the  Greek  to  more  intense  ex- 
ertion; should  it  kindle  the  animation  of  hope  on  the 
patriot's  brow,  and  nerve  him  to  a  deeper  struggle  ;  should 
it  sustain  but  for  a  little  while  the  needy  and  famishing ; 
should  your  bread,  now  about  to  be  '  cast  upon  the  waters,' 
return  to  you  ere  many  days,  in  the  recovered  liberties,  in 
the  regenerated  Christianity,  in  the  new-found  happiness  of 
Greece ;  never — never  would  it  be  among  the  regrets  of 
your  life,  but  rather  among  your  brightest  reminiscences, 
that  on  this  night,  hallowed  in  the  history  of  your  benevo- 
lence, you  gave — and  gave,  not  with  a  niggard  parsimony, 
but  a  liberal,  open  hand,  to  clothe  your  naked,  and  to  feed 
your  famishing  brother." 

His    preaching  was    powerful  in  producing  impressions 
upon  the  minds  of  all  who  heard  him.     Few  were  ever  be- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  141 

fore  him  entirely  listless  or  unexcited.  At  home  and  abroad, 
he  was  made  successful  as  a  preacher,  in  the  most  desirable 
manner,  and  seals  to  his  ministry  may  be  found  scattered 
through  all  the  churches  which  he  visited.  Hundreds  of 
immortal  beings  have  "  passed  from  death  unto  life,"  under 
the  proclamation  of  the  gospel  by  him.  Many  of  these 
preceded  him  to  the  tribunal  of  the  great  Searcher  of  hearts. 
Many  others  have  survived  him,  to  stand  up  and  call  him 
blessed.  The  Holy  Spirit  was  pleased  thus  to  make  his 
ministry  eminently  effectual.  In  the  congregation  with 
which  he  was  last  connected,  spiritual  piety  in  the  conver- 
sion of  many  souls,  and  efforts  for  the  extension  of  the 
gospel  to  others,  have  been  seen  to  be  very  extensively  the 
results  of  his  labours.  But  in  places  where  he  was 
transiently  preaching,  and  sometimes  only  upon  single  oc- 
casions, many  instances  have  been  known,  in  which  souls 
were  given  him  as  "  the  seal  of  his  apostleship  in  the 
Lord."  His  manner  of  expression  was  remarkably  direct, 
and  as  he  held  up  to  view  some  aspect  of  human  character, 
or  presented  some  particular  message  of  the  gospel,  the 
words  seemed,  to  each  individual  before  him,  to  be  address- 
ed especially  to  himself. 

He  was  preaching,  upon  one  occasion,  in  a  city  distant 
from  his  home,  to  a  congregation  that  crowded  the  house  in 
which  they  were  assembled,  and  manifested  a  strong  and 
general  feeling  of  seriousness  in  listening  to  his  discourse, 
when  suddenly  an  individual  in  the  gallery  burst  out  into  a 
loud  cry,  which  created  great  agitation,  and  attracted  univer- 
sal notice.  It  was  soon,  however,  quieted,  and  the  preacher 
finished  his  discourse.  He  left  the  place  for  his  own  home, 
and  sometime  afterward,  a  gentleman  of  highly  respectable 
character,  called  on  him,  and  after  an  introduction  to  him,  re- 
minded him  of  the  circumstance.  The  stranger  informed 
him  that  he  was  the  man  who  had  thus  involuntarily  disturbed 
the  congregation,  by  the   utterance   of  awakened  feelings 


142  MEMOIR   OF 

which  he  could  not  suppress,  and  requested,  as  a  personal 
favour,  that  he  would  sit  to  some  artist  whom  he  should 
prefer,  at  his  expense,  for  his  portrait. 

The  compliance  with  this  request  was  postponed,  until  the 
decease  of  Dr.  Bedell  rendered  a  literal  fulfilment  of  it  im- 
possible. It  is  gratifying  to  know,  however,  that  this  gentleman 
has  since  gained  his  object,  by  obtaining  a  copy  of  a  portrait 
previously  taken.  Some  extracts  from  letters  received  from 
him,  will  afford  an  interesting  addition  to  this  account : — 

*'  It  was  with  emotions  of  pleasure  that  I  received  your 
letter  of  the  24th  inst.,  informing  me  that  I  might  expect  the 
long-looked  for  memento,  and  I  now  express  to  you  my  en- 
tire satisfaction  with  the  execution  of  the  painting,  and  with 
every  thing  connected  with  it.  We,  and  others,  think  it  an 
admirable  likeness,  a  ^eviecX.  facsimile  of  the  original.  We 
take  this  opportunity  of  tendering  you  our  thanks  and  grati- 
tude for  your  kindness,  without  which,  probably,  we  should 
never  have  succeeded  in  procuring  it,  as  I  had  made,  previous- 
ly, several  abortive  efforts.  In  answer  to  the  inquiry,  whe- 
ther I  desired  to  have  the  portrait  of  Dr.  Bedell  merely  to 
increase  a  collection  of  paintings,  I  promptly  reply,  no.  I 
have  but  one  painting  in  my  house  beside  the  one  in  ques- 
tion, and  that  is  an  ancient  portrait  of  my  grandmother.  It 
was  entirely  on  account  of  my  partiality  and  attachment  for 
him,  whose  fervent  piety,  useful  life,  and  transcendent  pulpit 
talents,  deserve  all  praise ;  and  whose  memory  should  be 
cherished  by  all,  but  particularly  by  those  who,  by  his  in- 
strumentality, have  been  awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  high- 
est and  best  interests,  viz — the  interests  of  eternity." 

In  reply  to  a  question,  whether  he  designed  this  last  sen- 
tence to  be  applied  to  himself,  the  same  gentleman  writes 
again, — 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  143 

"  I  cheerfully  give  you  the  information  required.  I  corro- 
borate the  quotafion  from  my  letter,  having  intended  it  as 
peculiarly  applicable  to  myself.  It  was  precisely  tvi^elve 
months  after  the  Convention  at *  that  I  had  an  intro- 
duction— accompanied  by  a  very  dear  and  intimate  friend, 
who  is  now  no  more — to  Dr.  Bedell,  at  the  house  of  Mrs. 
S.  in  Alexandria.  I  solicited  him,  as  a  favour,  upon  his  re- 
turn to  Philadelphia,  to  sit,  that  I  might  procure  his  portrait, 
stating  it  would  be  a  great  gratification  to  me.  At  first  he  en- 
deavoured to  evade  it  by  saying  he  thought  it  an  unnecessary 
expenditure,  inasmuch  as  I  could  get  a  copperplate  likeness 
for  five  dollars,  thinking,  no  doubt,  that  it  was  merely  a  mo- 
mentary ebullition  of  feeling  in  me.  But  he  finally  consented, 
whereupon  I  told  him  he  should  hear  from  me  as  soon  as  I 
returned  home.     *     *     * 

*'  In  performing  your  laudable  task  you  are  welcome  to 
use  the  quotation  alluded  to,  in  any  way  your  judgment  may 
direct.  But  at  the  same  time  I  must  beg  the  favour  of  you 
to  withhold  my  name,  not  that  I  am  unwilling  to  aid  the 
cause  which  is  so  deserving  of  all  aid,  but  from  the  desire  to 
remain  the  same  humble  and  obscure  individual  as  hereto- 
fore. 

"  With  Christian  regard,  yours." 

While  Dr.  Bedell's  uniform  style  of  preaching  was  this  plain 
and  simple  annunciation  of  the  message  which  he  had  to  de- 
liver, and  he  always  dwelt  upon  the  most  important  truths,  in 
the  most  intelligible,  serious,  and  afifectionate  manner,  and,  as 
was  very  manifest,  in  the  spirit  of  humble  prayer  and  faith, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  he  was  uniformly  successful.  A 
clergyman  writes  of  him:— 

*  The  time  at  which  the  event  described  above  occurred. 


144  MEMOIROF 

*'  I  recollect  distinctly  hearing  a  sermon  on  the  subject  of 
Mary,  in  which  I  was  struck  with  an  unusual  boldness  to 
which  I  had  not  been  accustomed.  He  told  the  congregation 
that  false  delicacy  should  never  prevent  him  from  presenting 
any  truth  which  might  be  edifying  to  them.  On  another  oc- 
casion he  had  been  told,  in  reference  to  some  of  his  sermons, 
that  he  would  preach  the  Church  empty.  He  took  occasion 
from  the  hint  to  tell  his  people,  on  the  following  Sunday, 
that  he  would  preach  the  truth,  though  the  walls  should  tum- 
ble about  his  head.  On  another  occasion,  a  gentleman  of 
the  first  respectability  accosted  him  in  a  place  where  he  was 
preaching  upon  a  visit,  in  these  words :  '  Well,  Sir,  you  are 
the  only  man  who  could  bring  me  out  twice  a  day.'  He  re- 
plied, '  Sir,  I  am  sorry  that  your  respect  for  me  is  stronger 
than  your  sense  of  duty  to  God.'  " 

On  one  New-year's  day,  a  fashionable  young  man,  very 
giddy  and  thoughtless,  who  seldom  attended  Church  at  all, 
was  prevailed  upon  by  a  near  relative,  a  member  of  St.  An- 
drew's Church,  to  accompany  her.  He  reluctantly  consent- 
ed, as  a  compliment  to  her.  During  the  sermon,  for  the  first 
time,  he  felt  the  power  of  divine  truth,  and  saw  himself  a 
sinner,  lost  and  perishing.  He  remained  after  its  close, 
while  the  tears  of  sorrow  flowed  from  his  eyes,  and  he  thus 
gave  utterance  to  his  feelings  :  "I  never  felt  as  I  do  at  this 
moment;  every  thing,  past  and  future,  appears  to  me  in  a 
totally  new  light."  This  light,  which  broke  in  upon  his  be- 
nighted soul,  eventuated  in  a  comfortable  hope  of  forgiveness 
and  acceptance  through  the  blood  of  Christ.  He  has  since 
devoted  himself  to  the  ministry,  and  his  character  gives 
ground  for  hope,  that  he  too  will  be  made  the  instrument  of 
turning  many  others  "from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God." 

The  following  extract  from  the  communication  of  a  friend, 
presents  some  very  interesting  details  of  the  power  which 
attended  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Bedell,  and  the  effects  which 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  145 

were  produced  by  it,  and  is  well  adapted,  in  connexion  with 
what  has  preceded,  to  develope  the  peculiar  style  of  preaching 
which  he  adopted  with  so  much  wisdom  and  success. 

"  It  was  well  known  how  successful  our  dear  pastor  was 
in  addressing  the  young,  and  what  crowds  attended,  when, 
on  Sabbath  evenings,  he  preached  to  them.     Many  came 
merely  to  have  their  intellectual  taste  gratified,  but  return- 
ed to  their  homes  with  hearts  deeply  affected,  and  affections 
turned  toward  heaven.     There  was  certainly  something  pe- 
culiar in  his  manner  of  addressing  the  young.     I  have  never 
heard  another  so  deeply  interesting  as  Dr.  Bedell  on  such  oc- 
casions ;  his  knowledge  of  human  nature,  his  talent  for  de- 
scribing the  particular  snares  which  hindered  them  from  be- 
coming Christians,  his  exhibition  of  real  interest  in  their  wel- 
fare, the  deep  pathos  of  his  exhortations,  and  the  sweet  yet 
solemn  persuasiveness  of  his  tones,  all  combine  to  render 
him  not  only  one  of  the  most  attractive,  but  one  of  the  most 
successful  preachers  to  that  class  of  hearers.     How  often, 
after  having  heard  him  preach,  have  I  been  followed  day  by 
day,  by  a  few  words  of  deep  and  thrilling  import,  uttered  by 
him  in  his  touching  and  impressive  manner ;  sometimes  one 
word  alone,    perhaps   'eternity,'   pronounced  with   solemn 
accent,  and  accompanied  by  his  uplifted  finger,  has  rung  in 
my  ears  for  days  together;  at  others,  a  verse  of  a  hymn,  and 
sometimes  a  passage  of  Scripture,  has  produced  the  same 
effect.     But  it  was  not  his  manner  alone  which  arrested  at- 
tention, it  was  the  substance  also  of  his  preaching,  the  most 
striking  characteristic  of  which  was  clearness  and  simplicity  ; 
the  impression  left  on  my  mind  by  the  whole  course  of  his 
preaching  is  this :  I  cannot  say  that  he  ever  failed  in  fully 
explaining  the  most  difficult  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  entirely 
to  my  satisfaction,  reconciling  differences,  and  constantly 
presenting  the  Scriptures  as  a  beautiful  chain  of  harmony 
and  order.     He  never  overburdened  the  minds  of  his  hear- 

N 


146  MEMOIR   OF 

ers  by  a  variety  of  leading  truths  in  one  sermon ;  but  alwayig 
carefully  dissecting  passages  of  Scripture,  divided  the  differ- 
ent heads  into  distinct  sermons,  always  striving  to  leave 
one  prominent  truth,  clearly  and  simply  stated,  for  the  medi- 
tation of  the  people.  It  was  this  habit,  I  think,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  which  rendered  his  ministry  so  truly  instruc- 
tive. He  never  left  a  subject  before  it  was  fully  and  faith- 
fully discussed.  I  can  most  generally  remember  the  manner 
in  which  he  divided  his  discourses ;  but  in  every  case,  I  am 
still  impressed  with  the  recollection  of  different  truths,  taught 
in  each  discourse  ;  this  was  his  object,  and  in  this  he  suc- 
ceeded most  remarkably.  I  became  so  familiar  with  his  style, 
that  I  could  generally  tell  what  would  be  the  tenor  of  his 
sermon  with  but  very  few  exceptions.  Although  so  simple 
in  his  manner  of  preaching  that  all  might  understand  him, 
we  can  all  remember  the  elegance  and  purity  of  his  style,  the 
refinement  and  sublimity  of  his  taste,  the  coolness  of  his 
judgment,  the  warmth  of  his  imagination,  and  yet  his  entire 
freedom  from  rant  or  enthusiasm,  so  generally  ending  in 
coarseness  and  vulgarity.  With  what  boldness  he  declared 
the  truth,  with  what  sweetness  and  affection  he  presented  its 
claims,  and  with  what  feelings  of  sorrow  he  often  mourned 
over  the  coldness  and  indifference  of  his  people  to  the  love 
of  Jesus  Christ ! 

"  An  anecdote  just  now  occurs  to  my  mind,  which  was 
related  to  me  about  three  years  ago,  by  a  Presbyterian 
clergyman  in  N — ,  where  I  was  then  on  a  visit.  I  am  not 
certain  that  I  remember  all  distinctly,  but  I  will  endeavour 
to  tell  you  as  nearly  as  I  can.  This  minister  had  a  brother 
who  once  visited  Philadelphia,  and  went  to  hear  Dr.  Bedell 
preach  in  the  evening ;  his  sermon  was  death,  and  I  think 
his  text  was  this  :  '  This  night  thy  soul  shall  be  required  of 
thee.'  He  was  powerfully  awakened,  and  so  much  alarmed, 
that  he  was  afraid  to  stay  at  night  in  his  own  room.  And 
so  fully  was  he  impressed  with  the  certainty  of  death  com- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  147 

mg  to  him  that  night,  that  although  staying  in  a  public  house, 
he  wandered  about  from  place  to  place,  in  a  state  of  fearful 
anxiety,  but  carefully  concealing  the  true  reasons  from  all 
observers.  He  lived,  however,  to  drive  away  these  solemn 
feeUngs,  and  about  the  same  time  in  the  following  year,  went 
again  to  hear  Dr.  B.,  when  he  was  again  solemnly  addressed 
on  the  same  subject.  He  began  to  think  that  there  was 
something  peculiar  in  all  this,  was  again  alarmed,  and, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  succeeding  providences,  was 
led  to  submit  his  heart  to  God,  and,  at  the  time  his  brother 
related  the  anecdote  to  me,  was  a  decided  Christian.  Pro- 
bably Dr.  Bedell  never  knew  of  this,  and  I  doubt  not  that 
many  other  passing  strangers  will  appear  in  the  day  of 
eternity  as  stars  in  his  crown  of  rejoicing,  whom  he  never 
knew  on  earth,  but  who,  through  his  instrumentality,  were 
first  led  to  think  of  their  immortal  souls. 

"  Many  will  remember  the  sermons  preached  from  the 
text,  '  Run,  speak  to  this  young  man  ;'  also  these  words, 
'I  have  a  message  from  God  unto  thee;'  and  again,  'I  have 
a  great  work  to  do,  and  therefore  I  cannot  come  down.' 
Many  will  also  remember  one  lecture  delivered  in  the  lec- 
ture-room soon  after  a  confirmation,  from  these  words,  '  I 
have  no  greater  joy  than  that  my  children  walk  in  the  truth.' 
What  blessed  words  of  encouragement  fell  from  his  lips  on 
that  evening,  as  he  sat,  surrounded  by  so  many  whom  he 
could,  in  the  endearing  relation  of  the  gospel,  call  his  chil- 
dren, so  lately  entered  on  their  way  to  heaven,  familiarly 
instructing  them,  cherishing  them  with  the  tenderness  even 
of  a  mother,  and  with  Christian  faith  and  hope,  pointing 
them  to  that  place  of  meeting,  where  pastor  and  people  shall 
part  no  more  for  ever.     I  can  never  hear  the  hymn — 

'  Far  from  ray  thoughts,  vain  world,  begone,' 

without  recurring  to  the  many  Friday  evenings  when  I  have 
joined  with  the  dear  people  and  pastor  of  St.  Andrew's  in 


148  MEMOIR    OF 

singing  those  sacred  words.  The  trembling  tones  of  the 
voice  which  used  to  raise  them,  are  still  familiar  to  ray  ear, 
and  although  it  will  never  again  break  the  silence  of  those 
hallowed  walls,  so  powerful  is  the  effect  of  constant  asso- 
ciation, that  even  now  it  seems  as  if  I  really  heard  the  voice 
joining  in  our  responses,  or  uttering  its  well-remembered 
cough.  But  could  we  indeed  hear  the  strains  w^hich  the 
departed  now  sings  in  his  Father's  house,  never  again 
could  we  regret  that  they  will  no  more  be  rendered  discord- 
ant by  the  air  of  this  lower  world." 

After  the  foregoing  remarks,  it  need  hardly  be  added,  that 
his  style  of  preaching  rendered  him  always  a  favourite  with 
the  public,  and  increasingly  popular  to  the  end  of  his  minis- 
try. His  Church  was  the  most  crowded  one  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  His  reputation  was  so  extensively  spread 
abroad,  that  few  strangers  passed  the  Sunday  in  this  city 
without  seeking  an  opportunity  to  attend  upon  his  ministry. 
The  Church  was  opened  for  evening  worship  on  the  first 
Sunday  of  every  month.  On  these  occasions  it  was  the 
subject  of  regular  expectation  through  the  whole  course  of 
his  ministry,  that  even  the  aisles  would  be  crowded  with 
persons  anxious  to  hear  the  truth  from  his  lips.  Many 
were  sitting  in  the  Church  for  an  hour  before  the  time  of 
service,  that  they  might  secure  their  seats  ;  and  very  often 
such  numbers  left  the  doors  unable  to  effect  an  entrance,  as 
to  convey  the  idea  to  others,  that  the  Church  was  closed. 

A  very  distinguished  clergyman  who  preached  for  him  on 
a  Sunday  evening,  the  first  occasion  of  the  kind,  on  which 
he  had  been  in  Philadelphia,  remarked  when  the  services 
were  concluded,  that  he  "had  often  heard  of  the  immense 
congregation  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  but  he  had  formed  no 
conception  of  its  magnitude.  The  living  mass  before  him 
crowding  every  portion  of  the  house,  reminded  him  only  of 
that  universal  gathering  of  souls,  which  would  take  place  at 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  149 

the  day  of  judgment."  Such  indeed  was  the  appearance  of  this 
congregation  on  this  monthly  occasion — solemn,  still,  and  at- 
tentive— but  crowded  together  even  to  an  uncomfortable  extent. 
The  method  of  preaching  which  he  had  adopted,  was 
both  to  write  his  sermons  in  full,  and  to  preach  extemporane- 
ously from  short  notes.  Some  of  his  best  and  most  ef- 
fectual sermons  have  been  of  the  last  description,  which  are 
of  course  entirely  beyond  our  reach  for  further  benefit. 
Few,  comparatively,  of  his  sermons  were  entirely  written. 
The  latter  part  of  the  most  of  them  was  left  to  be  supplied 
at  the  time  of  preaching.  He  habitually  preached  to  his 
own  congregation,  three  times  in  each  week ;  besides  his 
frequent  public  addresses  in  other  relations  in  the  religious 
community,  and  the  variety  of  religious  meetings  which  he 
held  with  his  people  in  the  course  of  his  pastoral  duty, 
which  will  be  subsequently  referred  to.  The  following  ex- 
tract from  the  anniversary  sermon  at  the  close  of  his  tenth 
'year  of  ministry  in  St.  Andrew's  Church,  describes  a  part 
of  his  course  of  labour  in  public  preaching. 

"  We  have  abundant  reason  to  say,  '  Hitherto  hath  the 

Lord   helped  us,'  when  we  consider  the  amount  of  labour 

which  God  in  his  mercy  has    permitted    your  minister  to 

perform.     He  wishes  here  merely  to  state  facts,  that  God 

may  have  the  glory.     You  know  that  for  six  of  the  ten 

years  he  has  now  ministered  before  you,  his  health  has  been 

greatly  impaired,  and  yet  when  the  facts  are  looked  at  it  will 

be  remarked,  that  an  extraordinary  amount  of  duty  has  been 

performed.     Including  this  morning,  he  has  been  able  to 

preach  in  this  Church  exactly  700  times,  which  amounts  to 

a  fraction   beyond  six  years  and  a  half   of   uninterrupted 

preaching ;  28  Sundays,  or  in  amount,  56  sermons  only  has 

he  been  kept  from  the  pulpit  by  actual  sickness.     Taking 

this  from   1040,  which  is  the  amount  of  pubUc  occasions 

during  ten  years,  there  will  be  a  balance  of  284  times  to  be 

n2 


150  MEMOIR   OF 

divided  between  absences  for  health,  absences  for  business, 
either  private  or  ecclesiastical,  exchanges  with  other  clergy- 
men and  courtesies  to  brethren,  besides  some  few  occasions 
of  Episcopal  services  by  the  Bishops,  and  about  three 
months  in  the  ten  years,  during  which,  for  repairs  or  other 
contingencies,  the  Church  has  been  closed  by  the  orders  of 
the  Vestry.  In  addition  to  the  700  times  of  public  preach- 
ing, he  has  been  enabled  to  hold  lectures  on  week-day 
evenings,  and  has  officiated  at  these  296  times,  besides  not 
less  than  50  lectures  on  week-days,  and,  in  amount,  four 
years  of  weekly  Bible-class  instruction.  I  have  given  this 
detail,  my  friends,  simply  that  both  you  and  I  may  feel  the 
force  of  the  declaration,  '  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us. 


»  5> 


His  manner  as  a  public  speaker  was  entirely  peculiar. 
Retiring,  unostentatious,  simple,  apparently  unconscious  of 
the  effect  which  he  produced,  and  the  popularity  of  his  elo- 
quence, and  quite  unmoved  by  any  desire  to  exhibit 
himself.  On  occasions  when  he  was  to  preach,  or  to  speak, 
he  generally  sat  in  a  retired  corner  until  his  proper  time  of 
speaking  ;  his  downcast  eye,  and  pecuharly  humble  and 
modest  demeanour,  indicating  to  every  one  around  that  he 
was  least  of  all  anxious  to  be  seen  or  heard  for  his  own  sake.^^ 
As  the  time  arrived  for  him  to  commence,  nothing  could  ex-  ^ 
ceed,  in  simplicity  and  forgetfulness  of  himself,  the  manner 
in  which  he  arose  before  an  audience,  who  were  silent  and 
watchful  in  their  anxious  suspense,  and  began  the  address 
in  which  he  was  to  be  engaged.  His  manner  was  perfect 
calmness ;  his  voice  was  strong  and  clear,  and  sweetly 
melodious,  but  not  loud ;  his  articulation  was  remarkably 
distinct,  and  without  any  apparent  effi^rt  to  himself,  he  was 
always  heard  with  accuracy  throughout  the  largest  house  of 
worship.  The  two  extracts  which  follow,  present  very  ex- 
act and  beautiful  illustrations  of  his  manner  and  appearance 
as  a  public  speaker.     The  first  is  from  a  gentleman  who 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  .   151 

was  present  at  the  meeting,  which  is  thus  described  to  his 
wife,  a  member  of  St.  Andrew's  Church.  The  occasion 
was  a  meeting  in  Baltimore,  for  the  promotion  of  Sunday 
schools  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  November,  1832. 

"I  found  at  half  past  six  o'clock  the  streets  were  crowded 
with  people  going  to  Mr.  Nevins'  Church.  I  went,  and 
when  seven  struck,  there  was  no  Mr.  Bedell.  After  some 
time,  a  chairman  was  named,  Alexander  Brown,  Esq.;  after 
which,  Mr.  Baird  spoke  a  considerable  time.  When  he 
had  done,  I  perceived  Mr.  Bedell  walking  in  like  some  poor 
pilgrim,  with  a  white  handkerchief  round  his  neck,  over  his 
surtout  coat.  He  sat  meekly  till  Dr.  Brantly  spoke,  then 
Dr.  McAuley,  then  Mr.  Nevins,  the  pastor  of  the  Church,  a 
very  few  words  relative   to  taking  down  the  names,  after 

which  came ,  '  Dr.  Bedell.'     Others  had  spent  their 

talents  on  this  subject  before  he  spoke  ;  of  course  you  may 
suppose  he  must  have  felt  disadvantageously  situated,  as  he 
must  not  reiterate  remarks  made  by  those  who  preceded  him. 
But  he  came  out,  as  he  should,  as  every  divine  herald  ought 
to  do,  and  contrasted  his  view  of  the  probable  means  of 
success  in  this  undertaking,  with  thofiii^Jbefore  expressed  by 
others.  One  was  for  human  agency.  Where  were  men  to 
be  had  who  would  act  in  the  field?  Another  demanded 
money.  Without  money,  he  had  said,  neither  this  nor  the 
gospel  were  expected  to  prosper ;  for  this  simple  reason,  be- 
cause God  has  not  chosen  angels  to  do  those  great  works, 
but  men  of  like  passions  and  habits  with  ourselves,  who  re- 
quire to  be  clothed,  to  be  transferred  from  one  place  to  an- 
other, &c.  This  I  was  much  pleased  with ;  but  last  of  all 
stood  up  Mr.  Bedell,  whose  name  being  announced  by  the 
pastor,  Mr.  Nevins,  (the  only  name  which  was  announced 
to  speak,)  many  who  had  sat  all  the  previous  time,  stood  up, 
ladies  and  gentlemen.  Oh!  how  did  I  feel  on  beholding 
him  ?     He  had  but  just  arrived  in  bad  weather  ;  his  plain 


152  MEMOIR    OF 

appearance,  his  prominent  eyebrotvs,  his  praying  counte- 
nance; he  was  very  weak,  to  which  he  alluded  in  his  re- 
marks. He  took  HIS  VIEW,  and  showed  that  prayer  was  the 
great  engine  by  which  this  work  would  soon  be  accomplish- 
ed. I  cannot  represent  faithfully  his  attitude.  The  impres- 
sion made  on  the  audience  was  shown  by  profound  silence 
and  attentive  looks.  He  mentioned  the  great  efforts  he  had 
already  seen  from  the  Monthly  Concert  of  Prayer  ;  that  God 
heard  and  was  answering  his  people's  prayers,  great  proofs 
had  recently  been  shown  to  him." 

The  next  extract  is  from  a  letter  of  the  Eev.  Matthew  H. 
Henderson,  of  Newark,  New- Jersey,  transmitting  to  the 
editor,  in  compliance  with  his  request,  some  interesting  ex- 
tracts of  Dr.  Bedell's  letters  to  him,  several  of  which  will 
be  found  in  the  succeeding  pages.  At  the  close  of  this  inte- 
resting communication,  the  writer  observes  : — 

"  It  always  had  been  an  object  of  considerable  desire  with 
him,  to  pass  some  portion  of  his  time  in  the  family  of  one 
whom  he  had  for  several  years  regarded  in  the  light  of  a 
*  son.'  His  intentions,  however,  had  always  been  frustrated, 
and  it  was  not  until  about  two  months  previous  to  his  death, 
that  he  was  enabled  to  pay  us  a  transient  visit.  His  physi- 
cal system  appeared  to  be  at  this  time,  to  use  his  own  lan- 
guage, unusually  prostrated ;  for  although  he  continued  to 
drive  his  own  vehicle,  yet  extreme  debility  and  languor  ut- 
terly unfitted  him  for  any  prolonged  conversation.  Still, 
however,  he  was  not  prevented  from  preaching.  In  fact,  the 
pulpit  was  his  home  ;  and  never,  so  long  as  he  had  strength 
to  walk,  did  his  voice  fail  him,  or  his  life  and  energy  of  man- 
ner cease,  in  the  delivery  of  the  gospel  message  to  sinners. 
This  interesting  circumstance  had  often  been  a  source  of 
wonder  to  many  of  his  friends;  but  never,  perhaps,  had  it 
been  more  strikingly  exemplified  than  on  the  present  occa- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  153 

sion.  He  was  at  the  time  on  a  visit  with  his  family  to  his  sisters 
in  EHzabethtown,  and  came  in  the  morning  to  Newark,  (four 
miles  distant,)  about  an  hour  before  divine  service.  His  ex- 
treme debility,  however,  rendered  him  unable  to  attend  Church, 
and  he  remained  at  my  house  reclining  upon  a  sofa,  until  the 
hour  of  the  afternoon  service.  It  was  with  great  apparent 
effort  that  he  walked,  although  the  Church  was  direcdy 
across  the  way ;  and  he  found  it  necessary  to  remain  in  the 
vestry-room  during  the  hour  of  prayer.  It  was  a  day  long 
to  be  remembered,  especially  by  those  who  had  previously 
sat  under  his  ministry,  and  heard,  in  the  delightful  accents  of 
his  sweet  voice,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  The  Church  was  crowded  ;  probably  more  than 
one  thousand  people  were  present,  all  in  anxious  expecta- 
tion, when,  during  the  concluding  stanzas  of  the  psalm,  Dr. 
Bedell  appeared  slowly  ascending  the  staircase  of  the  pulpit. 
His  infirm  and  yet  composed  step,  his  striking  appearance, 
altogether  attracted  at  once  the  undivided  attention  of  the 
whole  congregation,  and  as  the  last  tones  of  the  organ  died 
away,  while  he  was  taking  his  accustomed  seat,*  a  breathless 
silence  pervaded  the  house,  a  silence  not  interrupted  for  a 
moment  throughout  the  whole  of  the  eloquent  and  deeply 
impressive  discourse  which  he  delivered.  His  subject  was 
the  repentant  prodigal.  The  solemn  interest  of  the  occasion 
was  undoubtedly  heightened  by  the  mournful  impression 
made  upon  all,  that  the  voice  to  which  they  were  listening 
would  soon  be  hushed  in  the  silence  of  the  grave.  The  tone 
of  his  voice  was,  as  usual,  mild  and  impressive,  but  towards 
the  conclusion  of  his  sermon,  in  expostulating  with  the  im- 
penitent, he  broke  forth  with  an  energy  which  caused  every 
heart  to  thrill  and  shudder  with  overpowering  emotion.  He 
was  frequently  interrupted  throughout  by  a  distressing  cough, 

*  It  is  probably  well  known  that  for  several  years  he  had  sat  in  the 
pulpit  while  preaching,  being  unable  to  stand.     "  Mr.  H." 


154  MEMOIR   OF 

a  circumstance  quite  unusual ;  and  he  remarked  afterwards, 
in  a  brief  note  of  his  travels,  that  he  preached  on  this  occa- 
sion with  'uncommon  difficulty.' 


?  jj 


The  remarks  above  made  upon  his  total  unconcern  for  his 
own  reputation  merely,  and  his  apparent  want  of  conscious- 
ness of  the  great  popularity  which  distinguished  him  as  a 
preacher,  are  entirely  sustained  from  his  whole  character,  by 
those  who  knew  him  the  most  intimately.  He  very  rarely 
referred  at  all  to  his  own  services,  nor  did  he  allow  remarks 
in  applause  of  them  to  be  made  to  himself.  A  clergyman, 
who  was  most  intimately  connected  with  him,  writes  thus  in 
regard  to  his  apparent  indifference  to  the  opinion  of  others 
upon  this  subject.  ? 

"  He  was  remarkable  in  not  seeming  affected,  as  many 
preachers  are,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  acquitted  himself. 
He  seemed  to  feel  the  same,  whether  he  went  beyond,  or 
fell  below,  the  ordinary  character  of  his  preaching.  I  asked 
him  once,  how  this  happened?  How  he  had  acquired  such 
control  over  his  feelings  ?  He  replied,  that  soon  after  he  had 
begun  his  ministry  in  St.  Andrew's  Church,  while  the 
Church  w^as  yet  new,  and  the  congregation  composed,  in 
part,  of  many  who  were  not  his  own  people,  he  had,  what 
he  felt  to  be,  an  inferior  sermon,  which  caused  him  some 
anxiety  about  his  reputation.  This  feeling  he  knew  to  be 
wrong,  and  though  he  had  a  more  satisfactory  sermon  at 
hand,  he  thought  it  would  be  a  wholesome  self-mortification 
to  preach  the  one  which  he  had  prepared  for  the  occasion. 
He  did  so,  and  was  called  upon  in  the  vestry  by  an  indivi- 
dual, who  stated  that  his  mind  had  been  very  deeply  impress- 
ed by  it.  This  person  has  since  been  a  most  valuable 
member  of  his  Church.  Ever  afterward,  he  said,  he  had 
no  such  improper  jealousy  about  his  own  reputation." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  155 

After  the  preceding  remarks  upon  Dr.  Bedell's  preaching, 
1  ought  not  to  pass,  without  notice,  what  I  might  call  his 
great  attention  to  the  proper  manners  for  the  pulpit  and  the 
desk.  He  was  remarkably  simple  in  his  appearance  and  in 
his  style  of  dress.  But  he  was  unusually  careful  in  his 
attention  to  the  little  proprieties  of  conduct  and  appearance 
in  the  discharge  of  his  public  duties.  In  his  clerical  dress 
he  was  always  neat.  When  he  entered  the  desk,  or 
chancel,  or  pulpit,  to  fulfil  his  appointed  duty,  there  was 
a  seriousness  and  dignity  in  his  walk,  and  countenance, 
and  motions,  which  were  very  impressive.  In  reading 
the  Liturgy  he  was  uniformly  accurate.  In  administering 
ordinances,  he  committed  no  blunders.  The  beautiful 
forms  of  worship  appeared  particularly  beautiful,  as  they 
were  ministered  by  him.  There  was  no  attempt  to  pro- 
duce any  effect  by  art ;  but  his  great  propriety,  and  gen- 
tleness, and  self-possession,  rendered  every  service  more  im- 
pressive as  it  was  performed  by  him.  In  this  I  have  always 
considered  him  the  most  chaste  and  perfect  model  that  I 
had  ever  seen.  Nothing  was  too  unimportant  to  be  noticed  by 
him,  and  nothing  that  was  connected  with  the  service  of  God 
was  ever  despised.  It  cannot  escape  the  attention  of  any 
man  of  observation,  I  should  suppose,  how  much  influence 
upon  the  feelings  and  the  character  of  a  congregation,  such  a 
sense  of  propriety,  on  the  part  of  a  minister,  is  adapted  to 
exercise.  I  may  not,  perhaps,  be  borne  with  entirely,  in 
the  remarks  which  I  make.  But  it  seems  to  me,  when  a  mi- 
nister of  the  Lord  is  engaged  in  the  public  duties  of  his  station, 
the  inattention  to  cleanliness  of  face  and  hands  and  clothes  ; 
the  odious  habit  of  chewing  tobacco  ;  frequent  blowing  of  the 
nose,  and  spitting,  with  most  unpleasant  noises ;  and  even 
carelessness  in  the  putting  on  of  the  clerical  dress,  and  heed- 
less inaccuracy  in  reading  the  public  services  of  the  Church, 
and  the  light  habit  of  looking  around  upon  a  congregation ; 
all  of  which  faults,  and  many  similar  ones,  are  often  seen ; 


156  MEMO  I  R   OF 

is  an  obstacle  sufficient,  among  a  congregation  of  ordinary 
refinement,  to  annihilate  a  large  portion  of  the  influence  of  a 
really  valuable  and  evangelical  ministry.  It  would  be  exceed- 
ingly desirable,  if,  in  these  matters  which  "  ought  not  to  be 
left  undone" — though  other  more  important  things  "  must  be 
done,"  our  younger  clergy  would  be  determined  to  do  "  all 
things  decently  and  in  order," — that  in  no  cases,  persons  of 
proper  delicacy  and  taste  should  be  offended,  by  very  appa- 
rent inconsistencies  between  the  public  manners  and  the 
public  station,  of  the  ministers  of  the  sanctuary.  Few  of 
them  are  probably  sufficiently  aware,  of  the  great  effects 
which  in  this  relation,  some  little  matters  are  adapted  to  pro- 
duce. They  will  pardon  the  frankness  of  the  suggestion, 
and  be  led  by  it,  I  hope,  to  look  in  the  example  which  has 
been  now  presented  to  them,  at  the  real  importance  of  con- 
sidering it  with  attention. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  157 


CHAPTER   VI. 


PASTORAL       CHARACTER BILIGEJfCE— KINDIfESS WATCHFULNESS 

OVER  TOUNG  CHRISTIANS INTERCOURSE  WITH  COMMUNICANTS. 

Although  Dr.  Bedell  peculiarly  excelled  in  the  pulpit, 
both  in  his  method  and  manner,  of  publicly  proclaiming 
"  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  his  peculiar  excellencies  as  a 
preacher,  were  by  no  means  the  most  important  or  effectual 
portion,  of  his  adaptation  to  the  great  work  of  the  ministry. 
He  was  abundant  in  labours  of  every  description  likely  to  do 
good  to  men  ;  "  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,"  in  warn- 
ing, and  guiding,  and  exhorting  those  with  whom  he  was  con- 
nected. The  variety  of  instruments  which  he  organized  and 
set  in  motion  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  great  purposes  of 
doing  good,  would  have  been  likely  to  become  confused,  and 
to  interfere  with  each  other,  but  for  the  assiduity  with  which  he 
devoted  himself  to  the  great  duty  of  superintending  all,  and  the 
perfect  method  and  regularity  with  which  he  arranged  every 
department  of  effort,  so  that  the  whole  machinery  should 
work  harmoniously  together,  to  produce  a  single  and  desired 
result.  His  personal  economy  of  time  was  very  remarka- 
ble. When  he  first  commenced  his  life  as  a  pastor  and  the 
head  of  a  family,  he  adopted  the  habit  of  rising  in  the  morn- 
ing at  four  o'clock,  to  which  he  adhered  until  his  failing 

o 


158  MEMOIROF 

health  compelled  him  to  seek  for  more  indulgence  ;  though 
even  then,  he  still  retained  the  habit  of  very  early  rising. 
Some  of  his  most  popular  and  efficient  sermons  were  pre- 
pared in  the  hours  of  a  single  morning,  Avhich  were  thus 
saved  before  the  time  of  breakfast.  This  economy  of  time 
he  carried  through  all  his  employments.  He  was  never 
idle  ;  and  his  almost  innumerable  duties  were  so  systema- 
tized, that  he  never  appeared  to  be  hurried  in  the  discharge 
of  any  duty,  nor  when  most  engaged,  in  the  least  degree 
impatient  of  interruption.  When  confined  to  the  house  by 
bad  weather,  he  was  accustomed  to  pursue  the  various  studies 
which  he  had  in  hand,  in  their  turn ;  devoting  in  every  hour 
ten  minutes  to  exercise,  in  walking  up  and  down  the  room  ; 
thus  filling  up  the  whole  day  with  successive  duties,  and  ac- 
complishing large  results  without  inordinate  fatigue.  This 
great  diligence  and  regularity  enabled  him  to  give  a  large 
amount  of  time  and  attention  to  his  engagements  as  a  pastor, 
and  to  this  portion  of  his  ministry  may  reasoimbly  be  at- 
tributed, notwithstanding  his  excellence  as  a  preacher,  the 
larger  measure  of  his  success. 

In  this  view  of  his  character  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  it  is 
difficult  to  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  his  eflforts,  or  his  suc- 
cess. Even  with  enfeebled  health,  and  frequently  confined 
for  weeks  together  to  his  house,  his  heart  was  so  engaged 
in  the  interests  of  his  charge,  and  his  mind  had  so  regulated 
and  arranged  every  thing  around  him,  that  the  minutest  cir- 
cumstances connected  with  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  im- 
mense congregation  to  which  he  ministered,  did  not  escape 
his  observation.  Every  thing  was  still  directed  and  moved 
by  himself,  even  when  lying  in  his  bed  with  protracted  suf- 
fering. His  cordial  love  for  the  souls  of  his  people,  was  a 
spring  of  unfailing  power.  He  was  ever  anxious  to  do  them 
good,  and  never  wearied  with  the  eflforts  which  the  object 
required. 

He  was  accessible  to  all  who  felt  the  importance  of  reli- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  159 

gion  and  desired  his  counsel  in  the  path  of  duty.     He  re- 
fused admittance  to  none  who  came,  and  none  ever  failed  to 
see  that  he  was  really  and  deeply  affected  with  their  wants, 
and  interested  in  their  spiritual  welfare.     Interruptions  of 
this  kind  were  almost  unceasing,  both  from  his  habits  of  in- 
tercourse with  his  own  people,  and  from  the  extended  influ- 
ence of  his  name,  which  brought  many  strangers  to  him 
also,  for  advice  and  direction  in  their  various  subjects  of 
personal  interest.     But  the  same  spirit  of  affection  and  ten- 
derness which  breathed  from  the  sacred  desk,  welcomed  the 
approach  of  all  who  sought  from  him  in  private,  a  knowledge 
of  the  truth.     While  ability  for  conversation  was  preserved 
to  him,  he  would  hear,  advise,  and  comfort  all  who  came  to 
him  for  information  in  the  ways  of  God.     His  whole  habit 
with  them  was  expressive  of  deep  affection  and  sensibility. 
In  his  private  ministrations  and  counsels,  there  was  a  very 
rare  combination  of  the  soft  and  winning  attributes  of  mo- 
desty and  retirement,  with  the  boldness  and  perseverance  of 
the  undaunted  and  enterprising.    Seriousness  and  gentleness, 
fidelity  and  forbearance,  decision  and  love,  shone  in  beauti- 
ful accordance,  in  his  whole  deportment  as  a  minister  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.     His  patience  with  ignorance  and  error  appear- 
ed capable  of  illimitable  extension.     And  yet  with  all  this 
meek  suavity  in  his  intercourse  with  men,  he  never  compro- 
mised an  iota  of  the  truth.     One  could  hardly  tell  which  the 
most  to  admire  in  his  conduct  as  a  pastor,  the  forbearance 
with  which  he  endured  the  interruptions  to  other  engage- 
ments from  the  multitudes  who  sought  his  counsel,  or  the 
plainness  of  speech  with  which,  in  the  most  affectionate 
manner,  he  laid  open  the  truth  to  all.     His  ministry  seemed 
a  constant  illustration  of  the  negative  of  those  demands  of  the 
poet ; — 

*  Hast  thou  a  foe,  before  whose  face, 

I  fear  thy  cause  to  plead  ? 
Jlast  thou  a  lamb  in  all  thy  flock, 

My  sGul  disdains  to  feed  ?" 


160  MEMOIR    OF 

This  mildness  and  gentleness  of  demeanour,  and  readiness 
and  cheerfulness  in  hearing  and  advising  those  who  came  to 
him,  produced  a  very  unusual  degree  of  affection  towards 
him  in  the  congregation  to  which  he  ministered.  The 
younger  members  of  his  flock  looked  up  to  him  as  a  parent, 
and  came  freely  to  him  for  advice  and  encouragement,  in  all 
their  difficulties  and  trying  circumstances  of  life.  Many  of 
the  younger  members  of  families  not  attached  to  his  Church, 
who  were  brought  to  the  feet  of  the  Lord  Jesus  under  his 
ministry,  and  met  with  opposition  and  trouble  from  domestic 
sources,  in  entering  upon  the  path  of  religious  duty,  found 
in  his  heart  a  perfect  sympathy  with  their  sorrows,  and  tes- 
tify to  the  faithfulness  with  which  he  guided  and  sustained 
them  in  the  way  of  obedience  to  God.  The  following  ex- 
tract will  illustrate  his  kindness  and  wisdom  on  one  occasion 
of  this  kind : — 

"  About  seven  years  ago,  my  mind  was  most  powerfully 
directed  to  eternal  things  ;  I  had  begun  to  grow  sick  of  the 
world  and  its  follies,  and  felt  myself  to  be  a  sinner,  travelling 
to  eternity  without  a  guide,  and  without  a  friend :  surround- 
ed by  every  thing  hostile  to  true  religion ;  with  but  one 
serious  friend  ;  with  very  dark  and  imperfect  views  of  reli- 
gion, but  ardently  desiring  to  be  not  only  almost,  but  alto- 
gather  a  Christian.  In  this  state  of  mind,  I  was  led  by  a  fe- 
male friend  to  Dr.  Bedell's  Friday  evening  lecture.  They 
were  then  held  in  the  lecture-room,  and  so  vivid  are  my 
recollections  of  the  first  evening  spent  in  that  sacred  place, 
that  it  still  appears  to  stand  out,  as  foremost,  among  the 
many  blessed  privileges  enjoyed  in  that  spot.  How  well  do 
I  remember,  even  as  though  it  were  but  yesterday,  the  im- 
pression made  on  my  heart  that  evening.  The  services  were 
altogether  diflerent  from  what  I  had  been  accustomed  to,  so 
social,  and  yet  so  solemn ;  so  very  simple  and  fervent,  the 
spirit  pervading  all  around,  that  I  soon  felt,  here  would  I  rest 
my  weary  feet,  and  join  this  heavenward  band. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  161 

"  The  impression  made  was  so  solemn,  and  the  instruc- 
tions so  exactly  suited  to  my  case,  that  I  was  convinced  at 
once,  that  this  was  what  I  needed ;  and  St.  Andrew's,  if 
possible,  must  be  my  home. 

"  At  this  period,  there  was  a  great  deal  of  seriousness 
among  the  younger  portion  of  the  congregation  ;  our  beloved 
pastor's  labours  had  been  greatly  blessed,  and  many  were 
inquiring,  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved  ?  Among  the  num- 
ber was  one,  who  in  childhood  had  been  my  daily  com- 
panion. Difference  in  our  habits  of  life  had  separated  us 
after  leaving  school ;  but  having  been  brought,  through  in- 
finite mercy,  at  the  same  time  to  think  of  eternity,  sympa- 
thy attracted  us  to  each  other  again,  and  through  her  influ- 
ence I  was  induced  to  attend  one  of  Dr.  B.'s  inquiry  meet- 
ings ;  these  exercises  were  conducted  in  the  boys'  school- 
room. Several  clergymen  were  present,  each  of  whom 
spoke  on  different  points  of  Christian  experience,  after 
which  they  conversed  individually  with  inquirers.  My 
friend  introduced  me  to  Dr.  Bedell,  and  although  timid  and 
fearful,  I  was  enabled  to  open  my  mind  freely  to  him  on 
the  subject  of  my  own  feelings  and  desires.  One  thing  is 
worthy  of  notice  here,  as  a  proof  of  his  noble  disinterested- 
ness. 

"  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of  attending  another  Church,  and 

not  having  received  there  the  food  I  desired,  I  was  very 

anxious  to  leave,  and  connect  myself  permanently  with  St. 

Andrew's.     My  family  were  very  much  opposed  to  such  a 

course,  and  therefore  I  hesitated  to  join  the  communion  of 

any  Church.     Had  Dr.  B.  said  but  a  few   words  to   that 

effect,  I  should  have  left  at  once  ;  but  he  pursued  another 

course,  and  with  his  characteristic  wisdom  and  prudence, 

advised  me  not  to  be  hasty,  still  to   go  sometimes  to  my 

former  Church,  bidding  me  welcome  to  St.  Andrew's  and 

her  communion,  whenever  I  could  come,  and  affectionately 

exhorting  me  to  fidelity,  and  a  closer  walk  with  God.     This 

o  2 


162  MEMOIR   OF 

interview  increased  my  respect  for  his  character,  strengthen- 
ed me  in  my  new  pursuits,  and  decided  me  in  the  course 
which  I  should  take.  I  would  then  have  made  very  great 
sacrifices,  if  convinced  that  duty  required  it,  in  order  to  place 
myself  beneath  the  care  of  one  so  kind  and  faithful ;  but  I 
was  enabled  to  take  his  advice,  and  for  one  year  withheld 
my  name  from  the  register  of  either  Church,  hoping  that 
Providence  would  open  a  way  whereby  I  might  accomplish 
yet,  what  then  appeared  so  unlikely.  At  the  end  of  a  year, 
according  to  my  pastor's  prediction,  difficulties  were  re- 
moved, and  I  was  permitted  to  enrol  my  name  as  a  member 
of  the  Church  of  my  affections. 

"  Immediately  on  gaining  permission' to  join  St.  Andrew's 
I  turned  my  steps  toward  my  pastor's  house,  and  cannot  de- 
scribe how  relieved  and  joyful  I  felt,  on  finding  myself  actual- 
ly on  the  steps,  on  an  errand  so  long  and  anxiously  desired. 
I  was  received  with  kindness  by  Dr.  B.,  and  afl^ctionately 
welcomed  as  one  of  the  members  of  his  beloved  communion. 
Shortly  after  this,  I  took  tea  with  his  family,  in  company 
with  some  other  friends,  and  as  Christian  society  was  new 
to  me  then,  I  need  not  say  how  sweet  and  refreshing  such 
occasions  were.     After  family  worship,  our  dear  pastor  de- 
lighted us  with  some  of  his  sweet  music  on  the  organ  ;  time 
flew  rapidly  by,  and  the  hour  of  departure  came  too  soon. 
I  returned  home  from  this  visit,  more  than  ever  convinced 
that  Religion's  '  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her 
paths  are  peace.'     I  compared  the  social  joys  of  Christians 
with  those  of  the  world  ;  I  thought  of  the  hours  I  had  often 
spent  in  thoughtless  pleasure,  and  felt  how  truly  vain  and 
unsatisfying  are  all. 

"  The  true  Christian  alone  enjoys  even  this  world,  and 
were  nothing  more  than  his  present  happiness  concerned,  he 
is  the  wiser  man  ;  the  remembrance  of  such  hours  is  sweet, 
and  mournful  too  indeed  ;  for  alas  !  like  the  dearest  of  earthly 
joys,  they  are  gone  for  ever !  But  even  while  taking  this 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  '  163 

melancholy  view,  there  is  comfort  for  the  Christian,  because 
we  know  that  the  joys  of  communion  with  kindred  spirits, 
will  be  renewed  in  a  brighter,  holier  world  than  this. 

"  *  When  we  at  death  must  part, 

It  gives  us  inward  pain  : 
But  w-e  shall  still  be  join'd  in  heart, 

And  hope  to  meet  again. 

From  sorrow,  toil,  and  pain, 

And  sin,  we  shall  be  free. 
And  perfect  love,  and  friendship  reign 

Throughout  eternity.' " 

In  his  pastoral  connexion  and  duty,  no  circumstance  ap- 
peared ever  to  be  forgotten,  and  no  one  was  undervahied. 
His  love  for  the  souls  of  his  people  followed  them  in  every 
path,  and  "  was  desirous  of  them  with  great  desire,"  that  he 
might  by  all  means  do  good  to  some.  Whenever  he  was 
visited,  he  was  found  planning  or  accomplishing  some  opera- 
tion for  the  benefit  of  others.  No  prospect  of  labour  deter- 
red him  from  efforts  in  the  path  of  duty.  No  occupation  of 
his  time  seemed  so  entire,  as  to  exclude  attention  to  any  new 
call  which  might  be  presented.  There  have  been  few  men 
who  made  so  much  of  time  as  he  did,  and  fewer  still,  who, 
amidst  such  obstacles  and  sufferings  as  he  endured,  would 
have  been  able  to  produce  such  important  results.  Though 
the  whole  course  of  his  ministry  in  Philadelphia  was  in  much 
bodily  weakness,  and  seven  years  of  it  marked  by  incessant 
and  very  great  personal  suffering,  probably  no  cotemporary 
labourer  in  the  cause  of  Christianity,  even  with  robust  and 
uninjured  constitution,  has  borne  the  same  accumulation  of 
duty,  or  has  accomplished  the  same  amount  of  actual  benefit 
to  man.  This  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  that  habit  of 
self-command  which  resisted  the  spirit  of  indolence  and  las- 
situde, and  kept  his  powers  up  to  their  possible  capability 
of  labour  in  each  day  of  his  life.     The  variety  of  his  plans 


164  MEMOIR   OF 

and  efforts  in  the  ministry  will,  in  some  measure,  come  un- 
der our  notice  as  we  proceed. 

The  remarks  already  made  upon  the  kindness  with  which 
he  received  the  members  of  his  flock  in  their  visits  to  him- 
self, will  serve  to  introduce  another  important  aspect  of  his 
pastoral  character,  his  watchfulness  over  the  character  and 
deportment  of  those  who  were  led  to  make  a  profession  of 
religion  under  his  ministry.  The  number  of  these  was  very 
great.  In  the  following  extract  from  the  anniversary  sermon 
before  quoted,  this  subject  is  referred  to  : — ^^ 

"On  Sunday,  October  5,  1823,  the  first  communion  in 
this  Church  was  celebrated. 

"  There  were  then  present  thirty-four  persons,  all  of 
them,  it  is  believed,  having  been  communicants  of  some  of 
the  other  churches  of  our  city.  It  is  not  my  intention  to 
trace  the  gradual  increase.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  on  Easter 
last,  our  actual  number  amounted  to  three  hundred  and 
thirty-four,  exactly  three  hundred  more  than  when  the  com- 
munion was  first  administered.  This,  however,  does  not 
give  as  favourable  a  view  as  the  case  really  requires,  for 
during  the  ten  years  which  have  passed,  changes  have  taken 
place  by  death,  removals,  &;c.  to  the  amount  of  more  than 
one  hundred,  so  that  there  has  been  actually  added  to  the 
Church  more  than  four  hundred,  the  most  of  these  by  a  pro- 
fession of  religion  here  first  made.  This  would  make  an 
average  of  forty  a  year — which  is  a  circumstance  cheering 
in  some  respects,  while  melancholy  in  others.  It  is  melan- 
choly when  we  consider  it  in  comparison  with  the  numbers 
who  continually  listen  to  the  sound  of  the  gospel;  but  cheer- 
ing when  it  is  viewed  in  comparison  with  others.  Not  to 
mention  the  fact  in  relation  to  the  communicants  of  any 
Episcopal  Church,  I  will  merely  state  that  in  the  life  of  a 
late  most  eminent  and  successful  minister  of  the  gospel,*  be- 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Payson,  of  Portland. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  165 

long-ing  to  another  denomination,  it  is  observed  that  the  com- 
municants added  to  his  Church  during  a  ministry  of  thirty- 
years  continuance,  averaged  twenty-five  a  year.  So  that  for 
the  last  ten  years,  we  have  exceeded  that  by  an  annual  aver- 
age of  fifteen.  So  far  then  as  numbers  are  concerned,  we 
go  not  behind  any,  and  have  reason  to  be  thankful.  But 
this  is  «,  small  matter.  It  is  not  the  number  of  the  commu- 
nicants of  a  Church,  but  their  spiritual  character,  which  con- 
stitutes the  subject  of  rejoicing.  But  on  this  point  I  am 
forbid  by  delicacy  to  say  much.  Let  it  be  sufficient  to  re- 
mark, that  with  the  most  who  have  been  admitted  to  the 
table  of  the  Lord,  under  my  own  immediate  ministry,  I  have 
reason  to  be  satisfied.  I  have  endeavoured  to  be  guarded ; 
and  by  some  have  been  supposed  unnecessarily  severe.  As 
it  is,  error  has  been  made  in  some  cases  ;  but  I  am  not  aware 
that  there  have  been  in  ten  years,  more  than  six  cases  of 
actual  backsHding.  There  are  some  few  who  I  think  are  not 
careful  to  walk  as  circumspectly  as  they  ought,  considering 
the  solemnity  of  the  profession  they  have  made — some  who 
have  given  too  much  up  to  worldly  conformity,  and  are  thus 
injuring  their  own  spirituality,  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  But 
as  a  body,  I  have  reason  to  rejoice  in  God,  that  there  is  so 
much  of  real  spiritual  rehgion.  My  spirit  has  been  con- 
tinually refreshed  with  the  idea,  that  with  but  little  excep- 
tion, (less,  much  less  than  is  generally  experienced,)  I  have 
no  reason  to  doubt  of  the  spiritual  religion  of  those  who 
kneel  before  this  altar;  and  when  I  think  that  nearly  four 
hundred,  who  have  at  previous  times,  or  will  now  this  day 
join  with  me  in  commemorating  the  dying  love  of  our  Mas- 
ter and  only  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  are  able  to  trace  their  first 
religious  impressions,  to  the  blessing  of  God,  on  my  feeble 
ministrations,  I  have  reason  to  say,  '  my  soul  doth  magnify 
the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  doth  rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour.' 
And  then,  as  I  remember  that  unto  God,  by  whose  grace 
alone  all  this  could  be  accomplished,  belongs  all  the  glory, 


166  MEMOIR   OF 

on  this  day  hallowed  as  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and  hallowed  as 
the  tenth  annual  return  of  my  first  proclamation  of  the  gos- 
pel from  this  pulpit,  I  feel  a  peculiar  emotion  of  gratitude  to 
him  who  hath  done  it  all,  and  say  with  peculiar  emphasis,  in 
the  language  of  my  text — '  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped.'  " 

In  the  admission  of  persons  to  a  religious  profession,  not- 
withstanding he  had  so  large  a  number  added  to  his  commu- 
nion, he  was  particularly  guarded  and  watchful.  He  not 
only  conferred  with  them  individually  in  private  upon  the 
important  subject,  placing  in  their  hands  also  such  books  as 
he  thought  particularly  adapted  to  their  case ;  but  he  also 
assembled  them  together  repeatedly,  before  they  came  forward 
in  either  of  the  great  ordinances  of  the  gospel  in  which  they 
were  to  make  their  personal  profession,  for  prayer  and  for 
such  instruction  as  was  adapted  equally  to  them  all.  He 
was  accustomed  to  say  but  little  in  his  private  conversations, 
but  to  direct  especially  all  that  he  did  utter,  to  the  peculiar 
character  of  the  individual,  which  he  appeared  to  discern 
with  great  readiness  and  accuracy.  The  following,  from  one 
of  the  seals  of  his  ministry,  will  illustrate  this  remark  in  a 
striking  instance,  though  probably  there  w^ere  few  cases  in 
which  he  was  so  reserved  in  conversation  as  in  this. 

"  Receiving  the  first  serious  impression  of  religious  truth 
through  the  instrumentality  of  our  departed  friend's  preach- 
ing, and  looking  to  him  for  spiritual  guidance  and  counsel,  it 
might  be  supposed  that  many  recollections  of  his  conversa- 
tions, Slc.  could  be  furnished.  It  is  nevertheless  true,  and 
is  perhaps  characteristic,  that  he  made  few  or  no  remarks,  or 
imparted  no  verbal  instruction  on  the  subject  of  religion  out 
of  the  pulpit,  to  myself. 

"  Accompanying  a  much  loved  aunt  at  her  request  to  hear 
him  preach,  the  sermon,  in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
convinced  me  of  sin.     I  requested  an  interview  in  the  vestry- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  167 

room,  where  I  remarked  to  him,  I  found  I  could  not  pray ; 
the  Lord's  prayer  taught  me  in  childhood,  being  in  fact  all  I 
could  repeat  after  the  struggle  in  my  chamber,  which  result- ' 
ed,  through  his  aid,  in  submission  to  Him. 

"  His  only  remark  or  reply  was,  '  I  do  not  wonder,'  and 
he  placed  in  my  hand  a  small  tract  of  two  or  three  sermons 
on  Regeneration.  On  returning  this  with  a  written  remark 
on  one  of  its  passages,  and  being  about  to  make  a  visit  to 
Virginia,  he  placed  a  copy  of  Henry's  Letters  to  an  Anxious 
Inquirer  in  my  hands,  without  remark.  Being  obliged  in  the 
spring  to  leave  the  city,  and  not  feeling  justified  in  coming  at 
once  to  the  Lord's  table,  I  stated  to  him  the  doubt ;  he  did 
not  at  all  urge  it,  but  presented  me  with  a  copy  of  Bicker- 
steth  on  the  Lord's  Supper. 

"  Of  the  same  character  has  been  all  subsequent  inter- 
course with  him.  It  seems  to  me,  that  having  delivered  the 
Lord's  message  from  the  pulpit,  he  had  no  anxieties  to  urge 
it  personally,  but  committed  it  to  the  Holy  Spirit ;  or  where 
instruction  might  be  useful,  modestly  availed  himself  of  what 
had  been  written  by  others,  keeping,  as  it  were,  all  obtrusive 
personal  agency  entirely  out  of  the  question,  not  seeking  to 
magnify  himself,  but  seeming  to  think  himself  less  than  the 
least. 

"  His  quick  discernment  of  character  enabled  him  to  see 
at  once  the  nature  of  your  difficulties  ;  and  he  no  doubt 
spread  them  with  importunate  prayer  before  God,  rather 
than  leaned  to  his  own  understanding,  in  much  advice  or 
conversation. 

*' Of  the  'glad  hours'  enjoyed  under  his  preaching,  what 
shall  be  said?  They  are  known  by  those  who  heard  him, 
and  by  whom  that  did  not,  would  the  report  be  received  ?  An 
apostle  once  heard  '  unspeakable  words,  which  it  is  unlawful 
for  man  to  utter.'  Under  the  melting  eloquence  of  that 
voice,  now  hushed  in  the  sanctuary  below,  is  it  too  much  to 
say,  that  unutterable  feelings,  partaking  more  of  heaven  than 


168  MEMOIROF 

earth,  filled  the  heart  bursting  with  its  fulness  ?  Whether  in 
the  body,  or  out  of  the  body  was  indeed  forgotten,  while  the 
light  of  that  heaven-lit  countenance  beamed  upon  you,  and 
the  kindling  eye  and  uplifted  finger  and  pause,  upon  which 
you  hung  breathless,  gave  an  emphasis  and  a  thrill  to  that 
hour  of  holy  time,  which  no  other  could  claim." 

He  placed  in  the  hands  of  those  who  desired  to  become 
united  with  the  Church  in  any  of  its  ordinances,  the  follow- 
ing circular,  containing  questions  touching  the  great  sub- 
ject of  personal  experimental  religion  ;  to  which  he  required 
from  them  answers  in  writing. 

"  As  you  are  about  to  make  a  profession  of  rehgion,  I  am 
exceedingly  anxious  that  both  you  and  myself  should  be  sa- 
tisfied on  some  points  of  importance ;  and  in  order  that  this 
may  be  done,  will  you  do  me  the  favour,  (for  I  ask  it  as  a 
favour,  not  as  a  right,)  to  meditate  on  the  following  ques- 
tions, and  give  me  your  views  in  writing  ?  I  have  two  great 
objects  in  view  ;  one  is,  that  I  may  be  satisfied  as  to  the  cor- 
rectness of  your  sentiments ;  and  the  other,  that  should  I  at 
any  subsequent  periods,  as  a  faithful  pastor,  be  obliged  to 
remind  you  of  any  departures  from  the  line  of  duty  and  of 
love,  I  may  have  the  advantage  of  placing  before  you,  your 
own  deliberate  conclusions  when  you  joined  yourself  to  the 
Lord  in  the  bonds  of  a  covenant  which  ought  never  to  be  for- 
gotten. Read  these  questions — pray  over  them — compare 
them  with  the  word  of  God.  If  they  in  the  least  depart 
from  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel,  I  have  no  wish  that  you 
should  answer  them.  Satisfy  your  mind  on  this  point.  I 
wish  you  to  act  conscientiously,  and  in  the  fear  of  God. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  solemn  periods  of  your  life,  and  you 
must  act  as  with  eternity  in  view.  Take  two  copies  of  your 
answers,  written  both  in  precisely  the  same  words.  Keep 
one  for  your  own  satisfaction — read  it  once  every  week,  by 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  169 

yourself,  and  with  prayer.  Give  the  other  copy  into  my  hands. 
It  is  for  my  private  satisfaction,  as  the  pastor  set  over  you  in 
the  Lord,  and  responsible  for  the  manner  in  which  I  dis- 
charge my  duty  to  you.  May  the  Lord  direct  you,  and  keep 
you  by  his  grace,  and  finally  present  you  faultless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 

QUESTIONS  FOR  SELF-EXAMINATION. 

"1.  Do  I  acknowledge  and  feel  that  I  am  a  sinner  in  the 
sight  of  God  ? 

"2.  Do  I  recognize  the  necessity  of  repentance  ;  and  what 
good  reasons  have  I  to  suppose  that  I  have  repented  of  my 
sins  ? 

"  3.  What  reasons  have  I  to  suppose  that  I  have  experi- 
enced that  change  of  heart  which  is  so  frequently  spoken  of 
in  Scripture  ? 

"  4.  Am  I  sure  that  as  a  sinner,  unable  to  save  myself,  I 
am  resting  my  only  hope  upon  the  sole  merits  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ? 

"  5.  Do  I  look  upon  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  a  Divine  Sa- 
viour, who  took  our  nature  upon  him  and  died  on  the  cross 
as  an  all-sufficient  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  world  ? 

*'  6.  Do  I  think  that  I  am  capable,  without  the  influence 
of  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  turn  myself  to  his  service  ? 

"  7.  Do  I  feel  as  if  it  was  my  duty,  as  well  as  privilege, 
to  spend  a  stated  time  every  day  in  prayer  to  God ;  and  do  I 
take  delight  in  this  ? 

"  8.  Do  I  believe  that  the  Bible  is  the  Word  of  God,  and 
that  I  am  bound  to  obey  its  requisitions  ? 

"  9.  Do  I  think  that  I  ought  to  read  the  Bible  with  re^- 
larity  and  prayer,  and  do  I  love  to  do  so  ? 

"10.  Do  I  believe  that  I  am  bound  to  give  up  my  heart 
and  life  to  the  service  of  God  ? 

"  IL  Do  I  believe  it  my  solemn  duty  to  make  a  pubhc  pro- 


170  MEMOIR   OF 

fession  of  religion ;  and  do  I  think  that  I  am  called  upon  to 
maintain  a  consistent  Christian  profession  ? 

'*  12.  What  is  my  candid  and  free  opinion  as  to  the  nature 
of  what  are  called  the  amusements  of  the  world,  such  as 
theatres,  balls,  games,  &c  ? 

"  13.  Is  it  my  opinion  that  I  could  with  any  kind  of  con- 
sistency engage  in  these  things  ? 

"14.  Do  I  love  any  of  these  things  now? 

"15.  Should  I  be  led  astray  in  relation  to  these  things, 
what  do  I  think  ought  to  be  my  own  opinion  of  my  spiritual 
state,  and  what  do  I  think  ought  to  be  the  conduct  of  my 
pastor  towards  me  ? 

"  16.  Do  I  think  that  I  ought  to  be  much  engaged  in  ad- 
vancing the  Lord's  cause  by  every  lawful  means  ? 

"17.  Am  I  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  my  Saviour,  and  let  my  light  shine — to 
grow  in  conformity  to  God — and  to  seek,  above  all  things, 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  my  soul  ? 

"  18.  Have  I  prayed  over  these  questions,  and  have  I 
answered  them  sincerely,  and  in  the  fear  of  God  ?  '  Be  not 
deceived,  God  is  not  mocked.' 

"  Let  your  answers  be  full  and  explicit.  What  I  want  is 
to  ascertain  the  state  of  your  mind  as  to  the  things  of  reli- 
gion. Thus  I  may  know  how  to  adapt  my  Christian  in- 
struction to  your  case. 

"  Let  your  answers  be  written  on  a  separate  sheet  of  letter 
paper,  and  let  the  number  affixed  to  your  answers  correspond 
carefully  with  the  questions. 

"  If  on  any  point  you  are  in  doubt,  come  to  me.     Gladly 

will  I  seek  to  direct  you  in  any  thing  which  concerns  your 

eternal  peace — and  pray  with  you,   and  for  you — for  my 

heart's  desire  is  that  you  may  be  saved,  and  be  made,  by 

your  precept  and  example,  the  instrument  of  saving  others — 

which  may  God  grant,  for  his  mercy's  sake  in  Jesus  Christ 

the  Lord." 

'♦  Your  Friend  and  Pastor." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  171 

When  there  was  inability  satisfactorily  to  write  in  reply 
to  these  questions,  or  great  objections  to  doing  it,  he  gave 
two  copies  of  the  following  also,  which  contained  his  views 
of  proper  replies  to  the  questions  proposed,  and  one  of 
which  they  were  required  to  subscribe  and  return  to  him. 

"1.  I  do  acknowledge  and  feel  it  sensibly  ;  and  if  I  know 
myself  to  be  a  sinner,  how  much  more  perfectly  does  God 
see  and  know  it ! 

*'2.  I  know  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has  said,  'Except 
ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.'  I  believe  that  every 
impenitent  sinner  is  under  the  condemnation  of  God,  and 
the  only  good  reason  why  I  think  I  have  repented  is,  that  I 
have  now  most  solemnly  determined  to  forsake  all  sin,  and, 
by  the  help  of  God,  to  serve  him,  and  him  alone.  I  feel  a 
sorrow  for  my  sins  ;  oh  !  that  I  felt  more  ;  but,  Lord,  enable 
me  to  leave  sin  for  ever. 

*'  3.  This  is  a  hard  question,  and  requires  deep  searching 
of  heart.  I  do  most  sincerely  believe  that  God  has  given 
me  new  feelings,  and  views,  and  motives,  and  objects.  I 
think  now  of  myself  as  a  poor  lost  sinner ;  I  think  of  God 
as  a  just  and  holy  God,  and  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold 
iniquity.  I  think  differently  of  almost  every  thing ;  I  love 
what  I  formerly  disliked ;  I  dislike  what  I  once  loved  ;  I  feel 
that  I  desire  to  do  the  will  of  God,  and  that  my  aim  is  the 
salvation  of  my  soul ;  the  world  has  not  its  former  hold  upon 
me,  but  I  give  up  myself  most  willingly  to  serve  God.  If 
these  may  be  evidences  of  a  change  of  heart,  I  can  answer 
this  question,  that  I  have  these  reasons  to  believe  that  my 
heart  is  changed. 

*'  4.  I  am  sure  of  this,  I  do  not  wish  any  other  founda- 
tion, even  if  I  could  find  it. 

*'  5.  I  do,  and  I  accept  his  free  offer  of  salvation  to  my- 
self; I  take  it  as  a  free  gift,  unmerited  by  me  now,  and 
never  to  be  paid  for.     '  Oh  !  to  grace  how  much  a  debtor  !' 


172  MEMOIR   OF 

"  6.  No,  I  know  and  feel  this. 

"7.  I  do. 

"  8.  I  do. 

"  9.  I  do. 

"10.  I  do,  and  am  determined,  by  the  grace  of  God,  so 
to  do. 

"11.  I  feel  it  my  duty,  and  it  is  my  anxious  desire,  and  I 
know  that  consistency  is  demanded  of  me. 

"12.  I  think  them  all  sinful,  inasmuch  as  they  are  con- 
trary to  the  express  command,  which  says,  '  Come  out  and 
be  separate.  Deny  yourself.'  And  I  think  they  tend  di- 
rectly to  lead  away  the  mind  from  God. 

"  13.  Most  certainly  not. 

"  14.  No. 

"15.  I  ought  to  think  myself  described  in  that  saying  of 
Scripture,  '  Thou  hast  left  thy  first  love,'  and  that  my 
spiritual  state  would  call  for  deep  repentance,  and  a  speedy 
return  to  God,  and  that  my  pastor  ought  to  warn,  rebuke, 
pray  for  and  with  me,  and  if  all  this  fail  to  reclaim  me, 
refuse  me  the  privileges  I  had  heretofore  so  very  unworthily 
enjoyed. 

"16.  I  do,  and  I  will  do  so,  by  the  help  of  God. 

"17.  lam. 

"18.  I  have. 

"  And  now,  0  Lord,  receive  this  my  solemn  dedication  of 
myself  to  thee ;  I  am  thine  by  every  right,  but  especially  as 
bought  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  I  here  renounce 
all  self-dependence.  Take  me  as  I  am.  Seal  me  as  thine 
own.  Do  with  me  as  thou  wilt.  Enable  me  to  love  and 
serve  thee  as  I  ought  to  do.  Guide  me  by  thy  counsel,  and, 
when  I  die,  receive  me  to  glory,  through  the  riches  of  thy 
grace  in  thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ.     Amen." 

After  persons   were   admitted   to  the   communion  of  his 
Church,  he  adopted  many  instruments  of  personal  watch- 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  173 

fulness  over  them.  He  held  stated  and  frequent  meetings 
of  the  communicants,  at  which,  questions  submitted  by 
themselves  relating  to  the  various  aspects  of  personal  religion 
were  considered,  and  his  views  upon  them,  relieving  diffi- 
culties, dissolving  doubts,  and  guiding  in  duties,  were  freely 
and  fully  expressed.  These  meetings  were  found  especially 
profitable  by  them,  and  were  particularly  interesting  to  him. 
He  would  express  his  delight  in  reference  to  such  occasions, 
in  the  remark,  "that  when  meeting  such  an  assembly,  he 
had  the  delightful  consciousness  that  there  was  not  one  Avho 
did  not  at  least  profess  to  love  the  Saviour;  but  when  he 
met  the  great  congregation,  his  soul  was  burdened  with 
the  reflection,  that  so  many  listened  who  were,  and  were 
likely  to  remain,  the  enemies  of  God."  Of  these  meetings, 
one  of  the  communicants  of  his  Church  remarks : — 

"  Our  Pastor  held  frequent  meetings  of  his  communicants 
during  the  last  years  of  his  ministry  among  us.  Of  one  of 
these,  I  think  it  was  the  first,  I  have  the  following  note. 
'  Lecture  room  quite  crowded ;  nearly  all  the  members  of 
the  Church  present.  The  exercises  were  prayer,  singing, 
and  a  short  lecture  from  Dr.  Bedell.  He  spoke  of  his  own 
gratification  in  seeing  us  thus  together ;  and  pressed  the 
necessity  of  personal  holiness  ;  and  especially  that  having 
no  doubt  of  our  own  safety  hereafter,  we  might  be  the  better 
able  to  exert  ourselves  in  behalf  of  others.  He  spoke  of 
the  shortness  of  our  time,  and  of  all  time  ;  and  his  belief  that 
those  who  should  survive  many  years,  would  see  '  one  of 
the  days  of  the  Son  of  man,'  when  he  would  take  his  own 
work  in  his  own  hands  ;  and  in  some  new  and  glorious 
method  promote  his  cause." 

At    these    meetings    subjects  were    discussed,    entirely 

appropriate  to  an  assembly  of  persons  under  the  influence 

and  government  of  true  piety,  but  which  would  have  been 

p2 


174  MEMOIR   OF 

more  difficult  to  exhibit  with  propriety  and  usefuhiess,  to  a 
mixed  congregation.  The  varied  relative  duties  even  in  the 
most  intimate  connexions  of  life,  were  here  made  the  sub- 
jects of  consideration.  The  instructions  were  so  arranged 
by  him,  that  the  most  of  his  admonitions  and  exhortations 
were  given  as  answers  to  questions  which  had  been  previ- 
ously proposed  to  him.  On  these  occasions,  Dr.  Bedell 
displayed  his  remarkable  knowledge  of  human  nature  and 
the  habits  of  mankind.  He  found  himself  able  to  introduce 
the  most  delicate  subjects  of  proper  religious  instruction, 
without  offence,  and  in  a  form  in  which  it  was  impossible 
that  any  injurious  influence  could  arise  from  the  considera- 
tion of  them.  He  exhibited  always  remarkable  wisdom,  in 
his  choice  of  subjects  as  adapted  to  his  hearers,  bringing 
always  before  a  mixed  congregation,  that  which  Avas  calcu- 
lated there  to  be  useful,  and  reserving  for  more  private 
occasions,  what  was  more  especially  adapted  to  such  cir- 
cumstances. In  this  way,  the  various  subjects  of  religious 
truth  and  obligation  were  all  considered  by  him  in  their 
turn,  and  religion  was  never  exposed  to  reproach  or  scandal, 
by  "casting  its  pearls  before  swine."  His  system  of 
classifying  his  people  and  giving  to  them  separately  thus, 
*'  their  portion  of  meat  in  due  season,"  was  a  most  valuable 
and  useful  habit  of  his  ministry.  It  would  be  most  desirable, 
that  other  ministers  of  Christ  should  consider  the  example, 
as  worthy  of  their  imitation. 

His  attention  to  his  communicants  was  not  confined  to  oral 
instruction.  He  wrote  to  them  for  their  guidance  and  in- 
struction when  they  were  absent  from  him.  These  letters 
would  furnish  a  delightful  addition  to  our  present  history,  if 
they  were  accessible.  Some  of  them  follow,  which,  while 
they  show  how  real  and  deep  was  the  interest  which  he  took 
in  those  who  were  thus  connected  with  him,  they  only 
increase  our  regret  that  they  are  the  only  letters  of  the  kind 
within  our  reach. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  175 

"  My  Dear  Friend, — 

"  My  great  anxiety  to  accompany  my  letter  with  the  in- 
teresting little  book  which  I  promised,  has  kept  me  from 
writing  much  longer  than  I  had  intended  ;  and  now  M^hen  I 
am  able  to  obtain  the  book,  there  is  not  to  my  knowledge 
any  private  opportunity  by  which  it  may  be  sent,  so  that  I 
have  determined  no  longer  to  delay  the  letter,  though  it  must 
be  without  the  book. 

*'0n  some  accounts,  I  am  not  sorry  that  my  letter  has 
been  delayed,  because  it  has  given  me  the  opportunity  of  say- 
ing, that  I  have  heard  very  good  accounts  of  you,  from  a 
source  of  which  you  are  not  aware.  I  can  truly  adopt  the 
language  of  the  Apostle  John,  and  say,  'I  have  no  greater 
joy,  than  that  my  children  walk  in  the  truth' — and  it  has 
given  me  much  satisfaction  to  have  learned,  that  your  whole 

deportment  while  in  R ,  has  been  such  as  became  the 

solemn  profession  of  religion  which  you  have  made.  I  can- 
didly confess  that  I  had  some  misgivings  of  heart  when  I 
heard  of  your  contemplated  journey;  not  because  I, had  the 
smallest  doubt  of  your  sincerity,  but  because  I  knew  so  well 
the  difficulties  by  which  a  young  female  who  makes  a  pro- 
fession of  religion  is  surrounded,  especially  abroad.  It  is  a 
difficult  matter  to  maintain  a  decided  Christian  walk  and  con- 
versation, even  when  at  home,  and  amidst  our  friends,  and 
engaged  in  our  ordinary  occupations  ;  but  it  is  still  more  dif- 
ficult when  abroad,  and  among  those  whom  we  may  be  desi- 
rous to  please,  even  at  some  sacrifice.  But  I  am  anxious 
for  you,  my  dear  child,  (if  I  may  call  a  young  lady  my 
child  in  the  gospel  sense  of  the  term,  for  I  desire  to  feel  and 
to  speak  as  a  father,)  not  only  that  you  should  maintain  con- 
sistency of  religious  deportment,  but  that  you  should  improve 
in  spiritual  things,  and  that  you  should  even  seek  to  be  of 
advantage  to  those  who  are  about  you.  Religion,  recom- 
mended not  only  by  the  example,  but  by  the  precepts  of  one 
so  young  as  you,  is  a  rare,  and  will  always  be  a  lovely  exhi- 


176  MEMOIR   OF 

bition.  I  trust  you  know,  for  I  have  sought  to  be  faithful  in 
imparting  instruction,  that  it  is  impossible  to  maintain  a  Chris- 
tian walk  and  conversation  without  the  most  steady  persever- 
ance in  the  great  and  arduous  duties  of  prayer,  reading, 
meditation  and  self-examination.  I  urge  you,  never,  in  all 
the  engagements  and  plans  upon  which  you  enter,  never  to 
let  one  single  circumstance  interfere  with  the  regular,  stated 
duties  which  you  owe  to  God,  and  to  your  own  soul.  Be 
kind,  be  condescending,  be  particularly  attentive  to  all  your 
friends  whose  hospitality  you  are  enjoying,  but  remember 
that  there  is  one  Friend  and  benefactor,  who  is  never  for  one 
instant  to  be  forgotten,  or  neglected.  It  is  He,  who  by  his 
grace  can  alone  sustain  you,  and  enable  you  to  exhibit  in  all 
its  due  proportions,  the  loveliness  of  the  Christian  character. 
Look  to  Him  for  direction  in  whatever  emergency  you  may 
be  placed,  and  do  nothing  which  you  think  would  not  meet 
with  His  approbation.  By  this  course,  you  will  be  safe, 
and  return  to  us  not  only  as  well  in  spiritual  health,  but 
better  than  you  went  away.  My  respects  to  your  friends, 
and  •  , 

"Believe  me,  your  Friend  and  Pastor." 

The  two  following  letters  were  addressed  to  another  mem- 
ber of  his  Church  : — 

"  I  have  taken  a  long  and  unfashionable  sheet  of  paper  on 
which  to  answer  your  very  welcome  letter,  because  I  do  not 
wish  to  be  obliged  to  write  less  than  I  desire. 

"  It  gratified  me  very  much  to  hear  that  in  the  good  provi- 
dence of  God,  you  reached  your  point  of  destination  safely. 
The  journey  is  long,  and  no  doubt,  must  have  been  connect- 
ed with  many  circumstances,  both  agreeable  and  disagreeable 
in  their  character.  This  is  the  character  of  all  journeys,  and 
it  is  the  character  of  the  journey  of  life,  and  especially  is  it 
the  Christian's  journey — for  that  journey  is  expressed  under 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  177 

the  term  a  pilgrimage.  There  are  very  few  who  have 
not  found  their  pilgrimage  made  up  of  circumstances  both 
agreeable  and  disagreeable ;  but  even  that  part  of  it  which 
may  be  deemed  disagreeable,  is  to  the  one  who  puts  unhesi- 
tating trust  in  God,  marked  by  characteristics  which,  if  they 
do  not  exactly  turn  pain  into  pleasure,  at  least  neutralize  the 
pain.  For  what  does  it  matter  what  befalls  me  during  the 
short  period  I  travel  on  earth,  if  God  is  with  me — his  rod 
and  staff  ready  to  uphold  me?  If  my  journey  be  up  hill, 
he  is  there  to  assist.  If  the  road  be  stony  and  rugged,  he 
is  there  with  me.  If  I  meet  with  unpleasant  companions  on 
the  way,  God  is  the  best  of  company.  But  I  shall  soon  fill 
my  paper  if  I  go  on  at  this  rate.  What  I  mean  to  say  to  you 
by  all  this  preliminary  and  round-about  matter  is,  that  disa- 
greeably as  you  may  be  situated,  and  up  hill  as  you  may  find 
your  course,  yet  one  thing  is  certain,  you  may  have  the  best 
company  which  mortal  may  look  for,  even  God — and  all 
things  will  work  together  for  your  good,  if  you  will  continue 
to  love  and  serve  Him.  Of  one  thing  you  are  to  be  espe- 
cially cautious,  viz.  never  to  forget  that  the  life  of  a  Christian 
depends  on  the  regular  supply  of  food  from  the  Father's 
table.  To  God  then  always  go  for  this  supply ;  and  never 
think  of  neglecting  it,  more  than  you  would  your  daily  food, 
for  the  sustenance  of  the  poor  and  perishing  body.  Indeed 
I  think  we  may  learn  an  excellent  lesson  from  the  circum- 
stances which  are  connected  with  our  returning  wants  in  re- 
spect of  food.  In  the  morning  we  hunger  for  our  breakfast — 
then  our  appetite  needs  the  enjoyment  of  dinner — and  then 
in  the  evening  we  must  have  our  supper.  It  is  thus  three 
times  a  day  that  our  bodies  require,  and  as  they  require,  so 
they  receive  food.  In  the  morning  and  evening,  and  at 
noon-day,  will  I  pray,  says  one  of  the  Scripture  characters, 
who  knew  the  necessity  of  continual  waiting  upon  God.  In 
your  situation,  where  you  are  so  destitute  of  spiritual  privi- 
leges, that  one  blessed  and  glorious  privilege  of  having  daily 


178  MEMOIROF 

communion  with  God,  through  the  medium  of  fervent 
prayer,  can  never  be  denied  you.  It  w^ould  be  yours,  if  no 
truth  and  no  religion  existed  in  the  city  where  your  lot  is 
cast. 

"Long  ere  this,  you  will  of  course  have  heard  of  the 

death  of  Mr.  S .     Since  your  departure  I  have  not  felt 

exactly  at  liberty  to  call  on  your  mother  and  sisters,  lest  it 
should  be  supposed  an  attempt  to  induce  them  to  attend  St. 
Andrew's.     I  think,  however,  I  shall  call  in  a  few  days. 

"I  am  at  the  present  time  inclined  to  think  that  there  is 
an  excellent  state  of  religious  feeling  in  our  congregation. 
There  is  a  remarkable  spirit  of  prayer  poured  out  on  the 
members,  and  many  careless  persons  are  evidently  beginning 
to  be  deeply  interested.  On  Sunday,  the  29th,  Bishop 
White  is  to  hold  a  confirmation,  and  the  number  of  candi- 
dates, including  several  who  have  already  been  admitted  to 
the  communion,  amounts  to  forty-three.  This,  even  should 
there  be  no  more,  will  make  no  less  than  eighty-six  confirm- 
ed within  the  space  of  ten  months ;  for  our  last  confirmation 
was  only  in  March.  I  trust  and  believe  that  the  candidates 
are  prepared  by  the  Holy  Spirit  for  taking  upon  them  the 
vows  of  a  solemn  covenant  with  God. 

"  During  the  few  months  last  past,  we  have  had  a  severe 
visitation  in  the  shape  of  influenza,  and  it  has  carried  into 
the  eternal  world  many  old  persons,  and  seems  to  have  been 
peculiarly  fatal  to  them.  But  few,  in  the  midst  of  all  the 
judgments  of  God,  learn  righteousness.  Many  are  cut  off 
in  the  midst  of  their  sins.     I  trust  that  the  Lord  has  preserved 

your  own  and  the  health  of  Mr.  W ,  and  that  together 

you  are  striving  to  follow  the  Lord  with  full  purpose.  And 
now  commending  you  '  to  the  Lord,  who  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless  before  the  presence 
of  his  glory,  with  exceeding  joy,' 

"  I  remain,  your  sincere  Friend  and  Pastor  yet.'' 


>» 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  179 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  should  have  been  induced  to  answer 
your  letter  quite  so  speedily,  had  I  not  yesterday  heard  at 

the  Bible  class  that  Mrs.  C.  is  about  sailing  for ,  as 

early  as  Saturday.  You  will  thus  have  another  member  of 
St.  Andrew's  Church.  I  hope  you  will  be  enabled  to  have 
much  Christian  intercourse,  and  that  you  may  mutually  edify 
and  comfort  each  other.  I  have  very  little  to  say  to  you  on 
the  score  of  intelUgence.  In  the  wisdom  of  God,  I  have 
been  so  much  shut  up  this  winter,  that  I  have  had  very  little 
opportunity  of  mingling  even  wdth  the  affairs  of  our  own  St. 
Andrew's.  For  the  last  six  or  eight  weeks,  I  have  been 
obliged,  by  the  imperative  orders  of  my  physician,  to  aban- 
don all  exposure  to  the  night  air ;  consequently  I  have  not 
lectured  on  Friday  evening,  neither  have  I  attended  any 
prayer-meetings  during  that  period.  This  is  a  great  depri- 
vation to  me,  as  I  do  most  truly  delight,  especially  in  the 
plainness  and  familiarity  of  the  Friday  evening  lecture,  which 
I  believe  has  been  much  blessed  by  our  gracious  God.  But, 
one  thing  I  know,  and  that  is,  that  it  has  been  the  Lord's 
pleasure  thus  to  lay  me  by  for  the  evenings,  and  I  have  no- 
thing to  say,  but  take  the  language  of  Scripture,  '  It  is  the 
Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good.'  The  lectures 
have  been  kept  up  by  several  of  my  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try, and,  upon  the  whole,  they  have  been  well  attended. 

"  Our  Tuesday  Bible  class  has  been  but  twice  interrupted  ; 
and  those  interruptions  were  occasioned  by  violent  snow- 
storms. We  are  now  in  the  season  of  Lent,  and  our  mem- 
bers are  spending  every  Friday  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer.  Last  Friday  was  the  commencement.  The  lec- 
ture-room was  filled  both  morning  and  afternoon.  I  trust 
that  these  hours  spent  in  prayer,  will,  in  infinite  mercy, 
bring  down  a  blessing  upon  us.  I  am  very  much  rejoiced 
to  hear  that  you  have  an  Episcopal  clergyman  among  you, 
who  seems  to  be  disposed  to  do  good.  Beg  him  from  me, 
though  a  stranger,  to  be  particularly  on  his  guard  against  that 


180  MEMOIR    OF 

bane  of  all  Episcopal  ministers  in  southern  countries,  a  sup- 
position that  he  can  win  people  to  religion  by  seeming  to 
give  in  to  some  of  their  worldliness  and  prejudices.  Tell 
him,  from  one  who  has  now  had  nearly  twenty  years  of  ex- 
perience to  teach  him,  that  by  such  a  course,  absolutely  no- 
thing  can  be  gained,  but  every  thing  lost ;  nothing  can  Avin 
souls  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  the  faithful  preaching  of 
the  humbling  doctrines  of  the  cross,  and  the  consistent  walk 
and  conversation  of  the  minister ;  thus  letting  the  people  see, 
that  there  is  a  holy  correspondence  between  what  he  says 
and  what  he  does. 

"  I  very  much  approve  of  the  course  you  have  taken,  as 
it  regards  mingling  with  the  world.  You  had  even  better 
have  no  associates,  than  those  who  can  in  no  wise  benefit 
your  soul.  It  may  be  hard  for  a  while  to  get  along  with 
such  determinations,  but  if  you  are  faithful,  the  Lord  will 
bear  you  out  in  them. 

"  Within  a  few  days  we  have  had  something  which  begins 
to  wear  the  appearance  of  spring,  and  it  has  been  truly  de- 
lightful to  us  here,  who  have  been  shut  up  by  one  of  the 
most  uncomfortable  winters  that  I  ever  remember  to  have 
experienced. 

"  In  your  letter  you  merely  mention  the  name  of  Mr. 

,  and  say  that  he  is  well.    We  are  very  anxious  to  learn 

whether  the  serious  impressions  which  appeared  to  have 
been  made  on  his  mind  during  the  period  of  his  sickness  last 
summer,  have  been  permanent,  or  whether  his  goodness  has 
been  like  that  of  those  of  old,  whom  God  complains  of  when 
he  says,  that  it  was  '  like  the  morning  cloud  and  the  early 

dew,  which  pass  away.'     Mr. has  an  opportunity  of 

ascertaining  this,  and  I  hope  when  I  again  have  the  pleasure 
of  hearing  from  you,  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  say  some- 
thing definite  on  a  point  which  is  very  interesting  to  us,  being 
relatives  of  his.     His  wife  is  one  of  the  loveliest  and  most 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  181 

devoted  Christians  in  the  world,  and  I  trust  his  daughter  has 
also  decidedly  chosen  the  Lord  for  her  portion. 

"  There  are  many  things  in  your  letter  which  I  would  like 
very  specifically  to  answer,  but  neither  time  nor  paper  will 
allow  me.  In  a  few  months  I  trust  you  will  be  turning  your 
face  this  way  once  more  to  visit  us.  I  wish  that  your  lot 
was  cast  here,  but  as  God  seems  to  will  it  otherwise,  our 
duty  is  submission. 

*'  And  now  I  must  again  exhort  you  to  be  much  in  prayer, 
to  be  steadfast,  immoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work 
of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  the  promise  is,  that  your  labours 
shall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Make  my  best  regards  to 
your  husband  ;  there  is  much  for  him  to  do  in  such  a  place 

as ,  and  there  is  need  of  much  circumspection.     May 

the  Lord  enable  him  to  hold  fast  his  spiritual  integrity,  and 
grow  in  grace.  I  learn  that  the  children  are  well,  but  have 
had  no  opportunity  of  special  inquiry.  Mrs.  B.  had  some 
conversation  with  one  of  them  between  morning  and  after- 
noon service  last  Sunday.  Mrs.  B.  and  Miss  T.  send  their 
love.  By  the  blessing  of  God,  our  family  is  in  good  health. 
"  Believe  me  your  affectionate  friend  and  pastor." 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  a  young  gentleman 
who  had  lately  made  a  profession  of  religion.  Its  paternal 
tenderness  and  wisdom  render  it  not  only  to  him,  but  to 
others  also,  especially  valuable. 

"  My  Dear  Sir,— 

"Your  letter,  I  can  assure  you,  gave  me  great  satisfaction  ; 
and  I  rejoice  in  God,  that  under  circumstances  so  unfavoura- 
ble as  yours  must  be  to  any  thing  like  the  cultivation  of 
religious  affections,  your  serious  impressions  have  not  only 
remained,  but  have  appeared  to  strengthen.  I  rejoice  also 
that  you  have  made  a  public  profession  of  your  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ,  and  I  do  most  sincerely  pray  that  you  may  be 

Q 


182  MEMOIR  OF 

enabled  to  adorn  that  profession,  by  a  corresponding  course 
of  conduct  and  conversation.  While  I  hope  these  things,  I  still 
tremble  when  I  think  of  the  disadvantageous  circumstances 
under  which  you  are  compelled  to  pass  your  time.  But  while 
you  are  shut  out  from  society  peculiarly  religious,  and  debarred 
the  privilege  and  theblessingof  a;}reacAe(/^osjoe/,Iknow,  and 
it  is  one  great  source  of  consolation,  that  you  have  what  nei' 
ther  place  nor  circumstances  can  deprive  you  of — the  Bible — 
to  which  you  can  resort  for  reading,  and  the  Bible's  Author, 
to  whom  you  can  resort  for  spiritual  direction ;  and  while  under 
an  humbling  sense  of  your  own  deficiencies,  you  make 
the  former  according  to  its  own  inspired  language  '  the  man 
of  your  counsel,'  and  the  latter  your  chief  companion  by 
prayer  at  morn  and  even,  and  perhaps  at  mid-day,  you 
cannot  be  materially  estranged  from  the  path  of  wisdom  and 
happiness.  But  remember,  my  dear  young  friend,  I  beseech 
you,  that  you  are  in  a  world,  and  particularly  in  a  situation  of 
temptation,  and  that  one  false  step  may  not  only  injure  your 
religious  character  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  but  ruin  your  own 
peace  of  mind.  In  relation  to  every  action,  I  trust  you 
will  seek  to  ascertain  the  will  of  God,  and  in  all  your  modes 
of  thinking,  follow  the  standard  which  His  word  presents. 

"It  would  gratify  me  very  much  to  hear  from  you 
occasionally,  and  especially  in  relation  to  your  progress  in 
what  is  called  the  '  Divine  Life ;'  whether  you  meet  with 
ridicule,  and  reproach,  and  opposition, — and  what  kinds,  and 
under  what  circumstances, — how  far  you  are  able  to  with- 
stand the  worldly  enticements  which  your  situation  must 
present, — and  indeed  on  all  topics  which  are  interesting  to 
yourself,  for  they  will  be  interesting  to  me. 

"  I  have  given  a  list  of  books  to  your  friend,  and  I  send 
you  as  a  present  from  myself  a  few  volumes.  In  the  Bible 
the  Christian  has  a  library  complete,  but  these  other  works 
are  valuable  as  collateral  helps,  and  your  time  cannot  be 
better  occupied,  than  in  endeavouring  to  improve  in  all  that 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  183 

knowledge  \vhich  cOticerns  the  soul's  immortal   interests. 

By   the    same   hand   which  conveys   this   letter   you  will 

probably   hear   from   your  other  friends,  and   from   your 

relations.     I  rejoice  to  say  that  Miss- — —is  now  a  follower 

of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Mrs. has  been  rescued  from  the  brink  of  the  grave, 

and  in  such  a  state  of  mind,  that  as  far  as  I  can  judge,  *  whether 

living  or  dying  she  is  the  Lord's.'  Mrs.— 1  have  no  oppor* 

tunity  of  seeing  on  subjects  of  all,  the  most  important ;  I 

think  a  line  from  you  to  her  would   be  valuable.     Your 

letter  to  me  which  I  sent  her,  produced,  I  am  told,  a  great 

I  cannot  say  how  deep  an  impression.    It  will  be  peculiarly 

gratifying  for  me  to  see  you,  and  to  find  you  *  growing 

in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 

Christ. 

*'  Your  sincere  Friend, 

"G.  T.  Bedell." 

"addressed  to  a  father  on  the  conversion  of  his 

daughter. 

"  My  Dear  Sir,— 

"  The  letter  which  you  did  me  the  favour  to  address  me, 
would  have  been  sooner  answered,  had  I  not  thought  it  best 
to  wait  the  events  of  yesterday.  I  feel  it  a  great  privilege  to 
be  able  to  offer  you  my  hearty  congratulations,  on  what  the 
Lord,  in  his  mercy,  has  seen  fit  to  accomplish  in  your  dear 
and  interesting  daughters ;  and  it  is  a  peculiar  satisfaction  for 
me  to  do  this  to  a  father,  on  whose  heart  the  dispensation  of 
mercy  and  love  may  fall  with  the  certainty  of  giving  plea- 
sure. Your  letter  was  truly  welcome  to  me,  because  it 
seemed  to  give  me  a  discretion  which  has  relieved  me  from 
much  embarrassment. 

"  Your  eldest  daughter  felt  bound  in  conscience  to  seal  her 
newly  awakened  attachment  to  the  precious  Saviour,  by  an 
approach  in  faith  to  the  sacramental  table,  and  after  such  ex- 


184  MEMOIR    OF 

aminations,  as  could  not  fail  to  have  satisfied  the  most  scrapu- 
ious  as  to  her  fitness,  I  consented  that  she  should  comme- 
morate the  dying  love  of  Him,  whose  grace  had  been  so  sig- 
nally manifested  in  her  behalf.     Yesterday,  w^ith  her  beloved 

Mrs.  at  her  side,  she  knelt  at  our  Master's  table,  and  I 

^  had  the  blessed  privilege  of  administering  to  her  the  symbols 
of  the  Saviour's  broken  body  and  poured  out  blood.  I  feel 
as  if  I  ought  to  say,  that  she  will  make  a  Christian  of  a 
lovely  spirit.  Your  other  daughters,  of  whose  conversion 
there  can  be  no  rational  doubt,  were  deemed  by  myself,  not 
too  young  to  attach  themselves  to  the  Lord,  even  by  a  public 
profession ;  still,  endeavouring  to  act  with  prudence,  I 
thought  it  best  that  they  should  have  no  conversation  with 
me  on  that  subject.  Your  eldest  daughter,  therefore,  was  the 
only  one  of  the  five  converts,  who  was  admitted  to  the  table 
of  the  Lord. 

*'  By  the  help  of  God,  according  to  your  request,  I  will, 
as  far  as  in  me  lies,  watch  over  these  dear  young  members 
of  the  fold  of  Christ." 

The  following  was  addressed  to  an  officer  in  the  navy, 
since  deceased.  It  shows  how  his  spirit  of  love  for  souls, 
extended  itself  even  beyond  the  limits  of  his  own  charge. 

"  My  Dear  Sir,— 

'  "There  are  some  circumstances  which  appear  to  justify  a 

departure  from  the  ordinary  course  of  dealing  between  man 
and  man.  I  feel,  then,  as  if  the  liberty  I  am  now  taking,  is 
at  least  excusable  from  the  motives  by  which  I  am  actuated. 
It  has  just  come  to  my  knowledge,  and  in  a  measure  acci- 
dentally, that  you  have  been  called  to  suffer  under  one  of  the 
severest  dispensations  which  it  is  the  lot  of  humanity  to  bear ; 
and  I  earnestly  desire,  as  one  to  whom  the  memory  of  your  de- 
parted wife  is  dear,  to  offer  you  those  sympathies,  and  to 
administer  those  consolations  for  which  the  present  melan- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  185 

clioly   occasion   call.     I  knew   her    in  those    days   when 
she  was  all  life  and  gaiety,  and  was  always  deeply  interested 
in  her  beautiful  simplicity  of  character ;  but  for  some  years 
before  her  marriage,  and  since  that  period  to  the  time  of 
your  visit  to  this  city,  I  had  not  seen  her.     I  was  then  sur- 
prised, distressed,  and  delighted — distressed  to  behold  the 
ravages  which  ill  health  had  already  made,  but  delighted  that 
she  had  been  enabled  to  turn  her  attention  to  those  things 
which,  whether  in  health  or  in  sickness,  are  essential  to  the 
future  well-being  of  the  soul.     In  reference  to  religion,  she 
was  a  totally  ditferent  being  from  the  one  I  had  known  be- 
fore; and  although  she  did  not  appear  to  enjoy  its  comforts 
to  that  extent  to  which  others  are  permitted  to  reach,  yet  this 
I  could  easily  trace  to  the  influence  of  bodily  indisposition, 
and  I  apprehend,  a  presentiment  of  the  catastrophe  which  to 
me  has  unexpectedly  occurred.     But  why  should  I  speak  of 
her  any  more  ?  The  vision  has  fled, — and  I  trust  that  she  is 
now  enjoying  that  bliss  for  which  I  was  fully  persuaded  she 
was  daily  preparing.     The  stroke  which  has  thus  cut  you 
off  from  one  so  interesting  and  lovely  as  a  companion  and 
friend,  is  indeed  severe ;  and  these,  (strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear to  us,)  are  among  those  mysterious  dealings  of  God, 
the   real  source  of  which  is  love,  and  the  ultimate  aim  of 
which  is  the  benefit  and  happiness  of  the  afilicted.     I  am  a 
stranger  to  the  religious  impressions  which   may  animate 
your  bosom :  pardon  me  if  I  say,  that  I  know  not  whether 
your  attention  has  at  all  turned  to  the  too  much,  and  too 
fatally  neglected  matter  of  religion :  but  I  know  that  every 
dispensation,  and  especially  one  so  aflflictive  as  this,  is  meant 
to  call  the  mind  from  earthly  to  heavenly  things ;  and  in  a 
moment  of  so  much  tenderness  of  heart,  and  of  so  much 
melancholy  as  this,  I  will  venture,  as  a  friend  of  your  depart- 
ed wife,  to  urge  what  I  feel  would  be  gratifying  to  her  were 
she  living,  that  if  you  have  never  sought  unto  the  Lord  you 

would  now  submit  to  the  teaching  of  his  hand;  and  if  you 

a2 


186  MEMOIR   OF 

have,  that  you  would  take  comfort  from  the  assurances  of  his 
word,  that  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  him,  and  that  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a 
moment,  will,  if  properly  improved,  work  out  a  far  more  ex- 
ceeding and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  It  is  only  those  of  a 
like  faith  and  hope  who  will  be  permitted  to  associate  here- 
after ;  for  the  future  destinies  of  men  are  as  different  as  the 
characters  which  they  here  sustained.  If  you  would  dwell 
hereafter  with  those  who  have  departed  in  the  true  faith  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  you  must  follow  the  example  of  that 
faith.  If  you  would  share  the  inheritance  of  the  redeemed, 
you  must  travel  in  the  path  which  led  them  to  their  celestial 
habitations.  I  hope  that  I  am  writing  to  one  who  knows 
these  things,  and  who  is  aiming  at  an  inheritance  among 
them  that  are  sanctified  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  If  not, 
my  exhortation,  I  feel,  will  not  be  taken  amiss,  as  it  has  been 
elicited  by  the  claims  of  friendship  which  I  once  held  to- 
wards one  who  how  needs  no  sympathies,  and  who  has 
found  a  dearer  than  any  earthly  friend  ever  could  have  been — 
a  Saviour;  who  now  enjoys  a  home  far  happier  than  the 
happiest  of  earth,  a  home  of  eternal  rest.  This  dispensa- 
tion reads  the  instructive  lesson,  '  be  ye  also  ready ;'  and 
adds  the  exortation,  '  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  those 
v/ho  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises.' 

"  In  the  merciful  and  wise  appointment  of  God,  time 
softens  the  severity  of  sorrows,  and  administers  its  own 
healing  to  the  wounds  of  the  heart;  but  infinitely  better  is 
that  consolation  which  flows  from  the  pure  source  of  religion. 
I  need  no  apology  for  having  directed  your  attention  to  these 
topics,  at  such  a  time. 

"  It  would  be  a  matter  of  gratification,  if  at  some  future 
period,  when  your  feelings  would  allow  the  exercise,  you 

would  give  us  some  account  of  the  last  illness  of  Mrs.  D . 

My  wife,  as  well  as  myself,  takes  great   interest  in  this 
subject.     I  leave  this,  however,  as  a  matter  resting  entirely 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  187 

upon  your  own  feelings.  I  have  no  peculiar  claims,  neither 
would  I  wish  to  urge  a  request  of  this  kind,  if  in  the  least 
degree  unpleasant.  It  is  a  mere  personal  gratification,  and  if 
it  would  harass  your  feelings,  and  bring  back  recollections  of 
too  painful  a  character,  I  could  not  expect  it. 

"  With  every  feeUng  of  sympathy,  and  every  hope  that  this 
dispensation  may  be  blessed  to  your  everlasting  welfare, 

"  I  remain,  my  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  Friend  and  Servant, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 


188  MEMOIR   OF 


CHAPTER  VII. 


PASTORAL  CnARACTER ATTENTION  TO    COMlMUIflCAXTS THE    EVILS 

ATTENDING    A    COUNTRY    RESIDENCE PASTORAL    LETTER     ON    THE 

CHOLERA — PASTORAL  REPROOFS PASTORAL  VISITS. 

The  watchfulness  over  his  people  which  we  have  already 
exhibited,  and  of  which  we  have  been  able  to  present  some 
interesting  illustrations,  extended  to  all  the  changing  circum- 
stances of  their  lives.  No  opportunity  which  might  be  im- 
proved by  him  for  a  good  impression  upon  their  minds,  was 
allowed  to  pass  unnoticed.  In  his  preaching  to  them  he  was 
accustomed  to  take  advantage  of  every  occasion  which  might 
furnish  to  him  room  for  any  peculiarly  useful  remarks.  The 
same  vigilance  followed  them  in  their  private  scenes  and  re- 
lations. An  interesting  illustration  of  this,  may  be  given  in 
connexion  with  a  habit  which  he  found  much  increasing 
among  his  people.  A  large  portion  of  his  congregation  were 
accustomed  to  be  absent  from  the  city  during  a  portion  of  the 
summer,  either  for  an  occasional  journey,  or  for  a  country 
residence.  He  saw  and  felt  the  ill  effects  frequently  result- 
ing from  this  interruption  in  their  enjoyment  of  religious 
privileges  and  their  discharge  of  religious  duties.  To  warn 
those  over  whom  he  watched  as  one  that  must  give  an  ac- 
count, he  addressed  them  especially  upon  this  subject,  on 
some  Sunday  early  in  the  summer  before  their  general  de- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  189 

parture  from  the  city,  and  again  in  the  autumn  after  their 
return.  I  have  not  room  for  the  exhibition  of  all  his  various 
addresses  upon  this  subject.  Some  extracts  from  one  will 
show  his  own  feeling  in  connexion  with  it,  and  the  vigilance 
with  which  he  observed  his  people,  and  the  fidelity  with 
which  he  admonished  and  warned  them.  The  subject  of 
this  address,  delivered  to  them  in  the  month  of  June,  is 
"  the  evils  attendant  on  a  residence  in  the  country,  and  on 
travelling." 

"  Since  I  have  been  settled  in  this  city,  the  most  cases  of 
religious  depression  and  declension  which  have  come  under 
my  notice,  have  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  the  year,  and 
among  those  professors  of  religion  who  have  spent  their 
summers  in  the  country,  or  in  travelling.  This  is  a  curious 
fact,  and  one,  the  causes  of  which  are  well  worthy  of  investi- 
gation. I  have  been  obliged  to  investigate  the  subject,  in 
order  that  I  might  properly  shape  my  pastoral  instruction  to 
individuals  in  private  ;  and  those  investigations  are  so  strik- 
ing, that  I  believe  it  of  great  importance  to  discuss  the  sub- 
ject as  among  the  profitable  themes  of  pulpit  instruction. 
Upon  what  principles  can  we  account  for  the  fact,  that  in 
the  autumn  of  the  year,  and  among  those  who  are  professors 
of  religion,  we  frequendy  find  cases  either  of  depression  of 
spirits,  or  of  absolute  declension  on  the  subject  of  religion? 
I  can  discuss  this  subject  experimentally,  because  what  I  say 
is  not  abstract  reasoning,  but  truth,  gathered  from  the  history 
of  some  melancholy  cases.  Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  I  am 
about  to  object  to  passing  the  distressing  heats  of  the  sum- 
mer among  the  shades  and  delicious  retirements  of  the  coun- 
try ;  or  that  I  in  the  least  object  to  traveUing.  No  ;  I  am  an 
advocate  for  these,  and  the  necessities  of  my  own  health  re- 
quire the  relaxation  and  refreshment  which  such  changes 
are  calculated  to  produce.  But  let  us  not  be  blind  to  the 
evils  attendant  on  these  things ;  let  us  not  be  ignorant  of  the  de- 


190  MEMOIROF 

vices  of  the  devil,  for  there  can  be  no  question  that  the  great  ad- 
versary takes  advantage  of  this  season  to  sow  in  our  bosoms  the 
seeds  of  departure  from  God,  and  then  quiets  our  consciences 
by  the  plea  that  the  evils  were  unavoidable. 

"1.  I  mention  an  inattention  to  secret  religious  duties. 
The  duties  of  the  closet,  such  as  reading,  meditation,  prayer, 
self-examination,  are  indispensably  necessary  to  the  welfare 
of  the  soul.  Now  a  professor  of  religion  starts  off  to  spend 
the  summer  in  travelling,  or  in  the  retirement  of  the  country. 
In  either  case  there  is  temptation  to  neglect  these  duties ; 
public  conveyances  hurry  us  along,  as  if  the  object  was  to 
annihilate  time  and  space  ;  public  houses  afford  small  accom- 
modation for  reading  and  meditation  and  prayer.  We  start 
early  in  the  morning  and  we  travel  till  late  at  night ;  all  is 
hurry  and  bustle,  and  nothing  is  thought  of,  except  to  ac- 
complish our  wish.  Thus  much  as  to  travelling.  If  we 
are  in  the  country,  perhaps  there  are  other  persons  with  us 
of  uncongenial  dispositions  and  habits.  We  have  small 
rooms,  new  occupations,  and  a  variety  of  new  engagements. 
I  will  venture  to  assert,  that  there  is  not  within  the  sound  of 
my  voice,  one  solitary  case  of  religious  depression  or  declen- 
sion as  connected  with  this  subject,  where  the  individual,  if 
honest,  will  not  confess  that  he  or  she  had  neglected  reli- 
gious duties,  especially  those  of  a  private  character.  Besides 
this,  public  duties  are  broken  in  upon  ;  there  are  not  the 
same  Sabbath  privileges  which  there  are  at  home ;  and  if 
there  are,  the  heat  and  the  want  of  conveyances  are  pleaded 
in  excuse  for  neglecting  them.  All  these,  by  a  process  just 
as  natural  as  any  which  can  be  imagined,  leads  to  depression  ; 
for  just  as  well  might  we  hope  that  our  bodies  should  retain 
their  vigour  without  food  and  exercise,  as  that  our  souls 
should  flourish  without  that  continued  and  intimate  commu- 
nion with  God  which  alone  supplies  them  aliment.  The  vege- 
table creation  will  not  thrive  without  light,  neither  will  the 
seed  of  divine  grace  which  may  have  been  sown  in  our 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  191 

hearts,  grow  without  the  light  of  God's  countenance.  This 
must  be  sought,  else  it  will  be  withheld,  and  leave  the  soul 
to  darkness  and  to  doubt.  This  is  one  cause  of  religious  de- 
pression in  some,  and  declension  in  others. 

*'  2.  But,  second :  to  omission  of  duty,  many  add  actual 
sin.  Forced  by  circumstances,  as  they  say,  many  profes- 
sors of  religion  travel  on  the  Sabbath,  on  the  vain  plea,  that 
they  shall  commit  as  little  sin  by  so  doing,  as  by  staying 
where  they  happen  to  be  uncomfortably  placed.  Some  are 
in  large  pubhc  establishments,  and  spend  the  day,  not  in 
their  rooms,  but  in  promiscuous  company.  Those  who  do 
not  travel,  but  who  are  in  the  country,  are  apt  to  spend  the 
Sunday  very  idly,  or  else  improperly  ;  neither  going  to 
Church,  nor  occupied  in  prayer  and  meditation.  And  be- 
sides this,  there  are  many  professing  Christians,  who,  in  the 
country,  are  the  actual  cause  of  sin  in  others.  For  instance, 
a  family  in  the  country,  a  few  miles  from  the  city,  has  the 
father,  or  the  brother,  remaining  behind.  What  then  ? 
The  wife  and  the  relatives  must  be  visited.  Shall  I  leave 
my  business?  asks  the  husband.  Oh  no,  I  cannot  spare 
time  to  see  my  family  and  friends  during  the  week.  When 
can  I  go  ?  Ah,  there  is  Sunday  !  It  is  no  matter  if  I  break 
God's  law.  I  will  go  out  on  Saturday  and  stay  till  Monday. 
I  shall  gain  two  things  by  it ;  I  shall  see  my  family  and 
spend  my  time  with  ease  and  comfort,  and  I  shall  lose 
nothing,  but  rather  save  a  day.  Some  ride  out  on  Sunday 
morning,  and  in  again  in  the  evening,  and  spend  the  day 
without  religion.  Thus  the  man  breaks  the  commandment 
of  God ;  the  wife  and  the  children  are  taught  that  the 
institutions  of  public  worship  are  mere  matters  of  con- 
venience ;  duties  are  neglected ;  God  is  insulted.  Is  it 
wonderful  that  God  withdraws  his  presence  from  those  thus 
tempting  him  ?  Is  it  not  rather  wonderful  that  he  does  not 
cast  them  off  for  ever  ? 

"  Now  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  the  travellers  return  from 


192  MEMOIR   OF 

their  tours,  and  those  from  the  country  to  their  homes ;  the 
closet  is  sought,  but  it  has  been  too  much  neglected  to  give 
pleasure  now.  Spiritual  darkness  overwhelms  the  soul, 
and  in  anguish  the  individual  cries,  '  O  that  I  were  as  in 
months  past!'  My  friends,  you  bring  this  on  yourselves. 
There  is  no  necessity  that  you  should  neglect  your  duties  of 
reading,  meditation,  prayer,  self-examination  ;  because  if 
travelling  or  being  in  the  country  bring  the  neglect  of  God 
and  your  souls  as  necessary  appendages,  then  you  had  better 
never  travel.  You  had  better  endure  the  heat  of  the  city, 
than  neglect  God  and  ruin  your  own  souls.  But  this  was 
not  necessary.  You  permit  your  enemy  to  get  the  advantage 
over  you.  You  gradually  become  careless  and  indifferent. 
One  duty  gives  way,  then  another;  one  sin  is  committed, 
then  another ;  and  at  length  your  conscience  ceases  to  re- 
prove. You  then  come  back  to  the  scenes  of  your  usual 
religious  associates,  and  conscience  is  at  work,  and  then  you 
discover  the  evil.  This  is  the  history  of  religious  declen- 
sion in  some,  and  depression  in  others  ;  and  this  leads  me, 

"  II.  To  the  remedy.  If  you  must  go  into  the  country, 
or  if  you  must  travel,  determine  upon  one  thing  before  you 
go.  God  goes  with  you  wherever  you  go.  Set  your  face 
like  a  flint  against  sin ;  determine  to  do  nothing,  and  en- 
courage nothing,  which  you  would  not  do  and  encourage  at 
home.  If  you  travel,  where  you  reach  on  Sunday,  stop  ; 
if  there  is  a  place  of  worship,  go  to  it.  If  not,  go  to  your 
chamber,  and  spend  the  day  with  the  best  of  company,  your 
God.  Carry  your  Bible  with  you  ;  think  not  to  escape  out 
of  the  presence  of  God ;  mingle  not  with  indiscriminate  or 
light  company ;  give  the  day,  and  give  your  heart  to  God. 
If  you  are  in  the  country  near  to  any  place  of  worship,  or  to 
the  city,  go  to  it ;  put  yourself  to  some  inconvenience  ;  if 
not,  spend  the  day  with  God.  Do  not  encourage  your 
husband  or  relatives  in  ruining  their  souls  to  enjoy  your 
company.     You  thus  become  partakers  of  their  sins. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  193 

"  There  must  be  a  positive  determination  made  to  set 
your  face  against  any  thing  which  will  draw  you  from  God, 
directly  or  indirectly.  You  must  be  on  your  guard,  and 
determine  that  on  no  account  whatever  will  you  bring  your- 
selves into  the  difficulty.  But  perhaps  some  may  say,  then 
we  must  never  travel,  and  never  go  into  the  country ;  we 
must  stay  and  suffer  in  health  ;  it  is  impossible  to  do  other- 
wise, there  are  so  many  disadvantages.  Permit  me,  my 
dear  friends,  to  say  to  you,  in  the  honesty  and  simplicity  of 
the  gospel,  that  if,  in  your  individual  case,  these  things  are 
inseparable  from  your  circumstances  ;  if  you  cannot  travel  or 
go  into  the  country  without  neglecting  God  and  your  souls, 
then  it  is  your  imperative  duty  never  to  travel,  and  never  to 
go  into  the  country.  It  cannot  possibly  be  your  duty  to  ruin 
your  souls.  You  had  better  stay  in  the  heat  of  the  city ; 
ay,  if  there  should  even  be  here,  the  '  pestilence  that 
walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  sickness  that  deslroyeth  at 
noonday.'  Your  children  had  better  go  to  heaven  before 
they  have  the  guilt  of  actual  sin  on  their  souls ;  every  in- 
convenience had  better  be  endured  than  that  you  should  lose 
both  soul  and  body  in  hell,  and  be  the  ruin  of  your  children 
also.  The  great  business  of  your  lives,  permit  me  to  tell 
you,  is  to  regard  eternity,  not  time  ;  to  see  that  you  are  pre- 
pared for  death  and  judgment,  rather  than  prepared  for  mere 
enjoyment.  You  know  not  when  your  Lord  may  come. 
For  aught  you  can  know  to  the  contrary,  you  may  be  called 
away  to  judgment  while  far  distant  from  your  home  ;  or 
from  the  shades  and  delights  of  your  summer  residence,  you 
may  be  summoned  to  give  an  account  of  your  stewardship. 
And  if  this  should  take  place  while  you  are  thus  neglecting 
God,  your  settlement  at  the  day  of  judgment  will  be  terrible 
indeed.  I  say,  and  the  reason  of  every  one  cannot  but  re- 
spond to  it,  if  you  think  travelling  and  country  residence  in- 
compatible, with  precisely  the  same  state  of  mind  and 
exercises  of  heart  as  are  mdispensable  at  home,  then  your 

R 


194  MEMOIR   OF 

duty  is  to  stay,  and  if  the  body  perishes,  the  soul  may  be 
safe.  But  I  do  not  believe  these  things  incompatible.  The 
situation  is  more  difficult,  it  is  true  ;  but  because  it  is  difficult, 
it  ought  to  rouse  new  energies.  God  can  be  served,  and  yet 
the  distant  journey  taken,  or  the  country  quiet  resorted  to. 
But  it  requires  you  to  fight  against  your  inward  corruptions, 
and  to  resist  your  great  and  spiritual  adversary.  You  must 
be  decided  against  the  world,  and  friends  and  relatives,  if 
you  would  save  your  souls  from  neglect  of  God." 

To  second  his  efibrts  in  this  public  address,  and  still  more 
personally  and  particularly  to  apply  the  admonitions  which 
he  had  given,  he  placed  in  the  hands  of  every  member  of  the 
Church  who  was  about  leaving  him  under  such  circumstan- 
ces, the  following  circular,  the  effect  of  which  was  made,  by 
the  divine  blessing,  most  beneficial  in  many  instances. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — 

"  You  are  about  to  take  up  your  residence  in  the  country 
for  the  summer  season,  or  to  spend  the  summer  in  travelling. 
Health,  or  recreation,  or  perhaps  both,  are  the  objects  you 
have  in  view.  As  a  professing  Christian,  you  are  about  to 
be  placed  in  a  situation  extremely  dangerous  to  your  spiri- 
tual welfare  ;  and  as  the  pastor  set  over  you  in  the  Lord,  I  feel 
that  my  duty  can  only  be  discharged  by  giving  you  warning 
of  your  danger,  and  calling  your  attention  to  some  points  of 
duty*  Suffer  me,  then,  by  the  Christian  affection  which  I 
bear  you,  to  ask  your  attention  to  the  following  considera-* 
tions : — 

'«  IF  RESIDING  IN  THE  COUNTRY, 

"1.  Never  neglect  your  accustomed  private  duties  of 
reading,  meditation,  self-examination,  and  prayer. 

"2.  Never  fail  to  attend  some  place  of  worship  on  the 
Lord's-day,  unless  prevented  by  such  circumstances  as  you 
are  sure  will  excuse  you  in  the  eye  of  God. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  195 

"  3.  Never  entertain  invited  company  on  the  Lord's-day, 
and  pay  no  visits,  unless  to  the  sick  and  needy,  as  acts  of 
benevolence. 

"  4»  Never  engage  in  any  thing  either  on  the  Lord's  or 
on  any  secular  day  which  will  compromise  your  Christian 
consistency. 

"  5.  Seek  to  do  good  to  the  souls  of  your  family,  and  all 
others  within  your  reach. 

*'  6.  Always  remember  that  you  are  to  '  stand  before  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ.' 

**  IF  TRAVELLING, 

"  1.  Never,  on  any  plea  whatever,  travel  on  the  Lord's- 
day. 

"  2.  Make  your  arrangements  to  stop,  if  possible,  in  some 
place  where  you  can  enjoy  suitable  religious  privileges. 

*'  3.  If  at  a  public  house,  or  watering-place,  on  the  Lord's* 
day,  do  not  mingle  with  indiscriminate  company.  Keep 
your  own  room  as  much  as  possible,  and  be  engaged  in  such 
a  way  as  may  make  the  day  profitable  to  your  souls,  and 
honourable  to  your  God. 

"  4.  Every  day  find,  or  make  time,  for  your  private  duties 
'  of  reading,  meditation,  self-examination,  and  prayer. 

"5.  Carry  tracts  and  good  books  with  you,  to  read,  dis- 
tribute, or  to  lend,  according  to  circumstances, 

"  6.  Seek  for  opportunities  to  do  good  to  the  souls  of 
those  into  whose  society  you  may  fall. 

"  7.  Never,  by  deed  or  conversation,  appear  to  be 
ashamed  of  your  religious  profession. 

"  8.  Remember  you  are  to  '  stand  before  the  judgment-seat 
of  Christ.' 

"  Let  me  entreat  you  to  read  these  items  of  advice  over 
and  over  again,  and  recur  to  them  in  every  time  of  tempta- 
tion. They  are  the  affectionate  warnings  of  one  who  knows 
the  danger  of  your  situation,  and  whose  '  heart's  desire  and 


196  MEMOIR    OF 

prayer  to  God'  it  is,  that  you  may  maintain  your  Christian 
integrity,  honour  God,  live  in  obedience  to  his  will,  and 
enjoy  the  peace  which  can  alone  spring  from  a  '  conscience 
void  of  offence,'  '  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad 
in  the  heart.' 

"  If  neither  a  sense  of  duty,  nor  this  affectionate  appeal, 
can  hinder  you  from  sinning  against  God  and  your  own  soul, 
this  pastoral  letter  will  be  my  testimony  when  we  stand  to- 
gether at  the  bar  of  God,  that  I  have  warned  you  of  your 
danger,  and  am  guiltless  of  your  blood. 

"  Most  truly,  your  Friend  and  Pastor.' 


j> 


I  have  never  on  any  occasion  witnessed  a  more  interesting 
and  melting  scene,  than  when  these  circulars  were  delivered 
to  his  people  in  the  last  summer  of  his  life,  June  1834.  He 
was  lying  upon  the  sofa  in  the  vestry-room,  after  the  ser- 
vices of  the  morning  were  concluded,  exhausted  and  pale. 
He  had  preached  with  unusual  power  and  feeling.  It  was 
the  last  sermon  I  ever  heard  from  him.  The  day  is  thus 
described  by  one  of  the  members  of  his  Church : — 

"  Sunday,  June  15. 

"  Our  dear  pastor,  having  returned  for  a  day,  from  the 
country,  notwithstanding  his  greatly  enfeebled  health, 
preached  twice.  In  the  morning  from  2nd  Corinthians,  v.  1. 
*  For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.' '  He  stated  that  we  have 
here  first,  the  confident  hope  of  the  Christian  ;  and  second,  the 
ground  of  that  confidence.  The  simple  ground  of  confidence 
he  declared  to  be  the  promise  of  God ;  and  the  eternal  inhe- 
ritance perfectly  sure  to  him  who  believes.  He  then  inquired. 
Do  we  believe?  enforcing  the  enjoyment  of  an  assured  hope 
as  the  privilege  and  duty  of  every  Christian.  O  what  a  ser- 
mon was  before  us,  in  the  pallid  face,  deathlike  countenance, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  197 

and  sometimes  tremulous  voice,  of  him  who  thus  addressed 
us!" 

Those  of  his  congregation  who  were  about  leaving  the  city- 
gathered  around  him  after  service,  as  he  lay  unable  to  rise  and 
welcome  them ;  and  he  addressed  to  each  of  them  separately, 
a  few  low  words  of  affectionate  parting  counsel.  They  all 
appeared  to  part  with  him  in  the  fear  that  they  should  see 
his  face  no  more,  and  none  left  him  without  tears.  I  could 
not  but  realize  how  precious  was  the  bond  that  had  united 
these  children  of  his  ministry,  to  him,  and  how  happy  the 
condition,  even  in  his  earthly  connexions,  of  a  man  who  had 
been  so  made  a  blessing  of  God  to  the  souls  of  his  people. 
I  parted  with  him  then  also  myself,  and  saw  him  no  more, 
until  I  was  called  to  perform  the  sad  office  of  committing  his 
body  to  the  earth.  O  that  the  ministry  and  the  departure 
of  his  brethren  in  the  Church  may  be  all  like  his  ! 

The  failure  of  his  own  health  required  him,  in  seve- 
ral of  the  last  years  of  his  life,  to  be  absent  from  the  city 
during  some  of  the  summer  months.  But  wherever  he  was, 
his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  beloved  people  could  not  be 
diminished.  And  when  unable  to  address  them  personally, 
he  communicated  to  them  his  views  and  wishes  through 
short  pastoral  letters,  which  were  always  welcomed  by  them 
as  messages  of  peculiar  importance  and  interest.  The  fol- 
lowing was  addressed  to  them  from  the  country,  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1832,  to  be  read  on  a  day  of  public  humiliation  and 
prayer,  appointed  by  the  civil  authority,  in  relation  to  that 
dreaded  pestilence,  the  cholera,  which  made  its  appearance 
on  this  continent  during  that  season,  and  carried  thousands 
of  unprepared  souls  to  an  awful  eternity. 

"  Dearly  Beloved  Brethren, — 

"  Had  the  proclamation  of  the  governor  been  received 

previous  to  my  arrangements  for  my  usual  summer  journey, 

r2 


198  MEMOIR   OF 

I  should  have  been  with  you  to-day  to  mingle  my  own,  with 
your  suppHcations  at  a  throne  of  grace  and  mercy.     It  grieves 
me  to  be  obliged  to  be  absent  from  you  in  a  time  like  the 
present ;  but  were  I  in  the  city  I  should  be  unable  to  perform 
any  of  the  duties  of  the  parish,  as  you  are  aware  that  for 
several  years  last  past,  I  have  been,  for  the  most  part,  disa- 
bled during  the  month  of  August  and  most  of  September, 
from  the  full  discharge  of  duties,  either  by  positive  illness  or 
extreme  debility,  and  forced  to   spend  that  portion  of  the 
time  in  travelling  for  health.     I  cannot,  however,  permit  the 
present  day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer,  to  pass  over 
without  offering  you  a  few  words  of  advice  and  exhortation, 
as  the  pastor  set  over  you  in  the  Lord.     As  it  regards  the 
most  of  you,  indeed  I  may  say  all,  I  have  very  little  fear  as 
to  your  immediate  exposure  to  the  attack  of  the  pestilence 
which  has  now  appeared  in  our  beloved  city,  for  I  am  aware 
that  our  congregation  is  composed  of  those  whose  habits  of 
life,  humanly  speaking,  render  them  less  liable  to  attack.     I 
say  this  not  to  arrest  any  salutary  alarm  which  may  be  on 
your  minds,  but  to  prevent  unnecessary  fear.    Maintain  those 
habits  of  temperance  and  regularity  of  living  which   have 
hitherto  characterized  you,  and  be  much  engaged  in  works 
of  charity  and  mercy,  and  you  may  reasonably  hope  to  be 
exempt  from  a  disease  which  experience  shows  to  have,  as 
a  general  rule,  selected  its  victims  from  among  those  whose 
habits  of  life  have  not  been  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of 
gospel  sobriety.     To  this  there  have  been  exceptions,  but  I 
pray  God  that  the  exceptions  may  not  fall  among  my  beloved 
people.     Let  the  course  of  Divine  Providence,  however,  be 
what  it  may,  there  is  one  method  of  disarming  the  pestilence 
of  the  terrors  with  which  it  is  otherwise  invested.     Let  those 
among  you  who  have  a  good  hope  through  grace  that  your 
sins  are  pardoned  and  yourselves  accepted  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
be  '  diligent  that  ye  be  found  of  him  without  spot  and  blame- 
less.'    See  that  ye  grow  in  grace,  and  that  especially  in  this 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  199 

season  ye  be  much  engaged  in  prayer,  that  the  Lord  will  look 
upon  our  city  in  mercy,  and  stay  the  hand  of  his  righteous 
judgments.  Be  ye  active  in  the  discharge  of  Christian  du- 
ties ;  and  keeping  a  firm  confidence  in  Him  whom  you  have 
taken  as  your  Saviour,  do  your  duty  to  your  fellow  men.  If 
under  these  circumstances  the  arrows  of  the  destroyer  shall 
fall  on  any  of  you,  you  would  only  realize  the  truth  of  the 
declaration, 

'  Death's  but  the  servant  Jesus  sends 
'  To  call  you  to  his  arras.' 

"  But  there  are  some  of  you,  my  dearly  beloved  brethren, 
concerning  whom  I  have  great  sorrow  in  my  heart.  I  mean 
those  to  whom  I  have  so  many  years  preached  the  gospel, 
and  who,  as  yet,  have  refused  to  receive  its  ofiers  of  mercy  to 
the  salvation  of  their  souls.  Let  me  beseech  you  to  listen 
to  the  voice  of  God,  now  that  His  voice  speaks  to  you  under 
circumstances  of  so  much  solemnity  as  the  present.  There 
are  those  among  J-ou  who  may  be  cut  off  in  your  sins  ;  and 
let  me  press  on  you  the  solemn  inquiry  of  the  Apostle — '  If 
the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved,  where  shall  the  ungodly  and 
the  sinner  appear  V  Take  warning,  I  entreat  you,  and  now 
in  the  time  of  this  visitation  of  judgment,  '  take  heed  to  the 
things  which  concern  your  everlasting  peace,  ere  they  be  for 
ever  hidden  from  your  eyes.'  This  exhortation  is  always 
appropriate,  but  more  particularly  so  at  the  present  time, 
when  death  comes  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  and  leaves  no  time 
or  opportunity  to  make  your  peace  with  God.  I  have  no 
pressing  solicitude  as  to  any  of  you  except  those  who  are  in 
the  condition  last  described ;  but  for  you  I  feel  much,  lest 
any  of  you  should  be  called  to  your  solemn  account  of  judg- 
ment before  you  have  by  faith  secured  that  interest  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  alone  can  enable  you  to  render 


200  MEMOIR    OF 

that  account  with  joy  and  not  with  grief.  Let  me  again  and 
again  beseech  you  to  repent  and  retum  to  the  Lord,  and  to 
works  meet  for  repentance  ;  and  then  should  God's  visitation 
reach  you  personally,  it  would  only  prostrate  your  bodies  in 
the  dust,  but  leave  your  souls  safe  in  the  sure  salvation  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Let  me  beg  of  you  to  give  heed  to  these 
lines  from  one  who  has  now  for  nine  years  addressed  you, 
and  who,  though  compelled  by  reason  of  his  own  precarious 
health,  to  be  absent,  still  desires  to  present  to  your  conside- 
ration, even  through  the  imperfect  medium  of  a  letter,  the 
calls  and  the  offers  of  the  gospel. 

"  To  all  of  you  who,  in  the  midst  of  the  pestilence  that 
walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  sickness  that  destroyeth  at 
the  noon-day,  are  yet  privileged  to  meet  together  for  prayer 
and  supplication,  let  me  urge  the  necessity  of  a  deep  and 
heartfelt  humility  in  the  sight  of  God.  '  Rend  your  hearts, 
and  turn  unto  the  Lord  your  God,  for  he  is  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful, long-suffering,  and  of  great  goodness,  and  repenteth 
him  of  the  evil,'  peradventure  he  will  hear  and  leave  a  bless- 
ing in  answer  to  your  prayers.  Wherever  the  providence  of 
God  may  find  me  on  the  day  you  assemble,  I  shall  strive  to  be 
with  you  in  spirit,  though  not  in  bodily  presence  ;  and  under 
any  circumstances  shall  not  fail  to  pray  for  you,  that  the 
Lord  may  keep  you  safely ;  and  that  though  thousands  fall 
beside  you,  and  ten  thousand  at  your  right  hand,  no  plague 
may  come  nigh  you  or  your  dwellings.  And  I  trust  that  in 
your  prayers  and  supplications  you  will  not  fail  to  remember 
him  who  needs  the  benefit  of  your  most  ardent  and  persever- 
ing prayers,  both  for  his  bodily  and  spiritual  health. 

"  Through  the  medium  of  my  friend  and  assistant,  to 
whose  discretion  I  have  entrusted  that  portion  of  the  con- 
cerns of  our  Church  which  fall  to  my  lot,  I  shall  frequently 
hear  of  your  welfare.  May  the  Lord  be  with  him  and  you, 
and  may  the  Holy  Spirit  so  sanctify  this  afflictive  dispensa- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  201 

tion  to  us  all,  that  our  souls  may  reap  the  intended  benefit, 
both  in  time  and  throughout  eternity. 

"  I  remain,  dearly  beloved  Brethren, 

"  Your  Friend  and  Pastor." 

One  of  the  most  difficult  duties  of  the  private  friend,  or 
the  Christian  pastor,  is  the  administration  of  necessary  reproof 
to  those  who  err.  Dr.  Bedell  was  especially  calculated, 
from  the  very  peculiar  delicacy  and  sensitiveness  of  his  cha- 
racter an4  temperament,  to  feel  this  difficulty  deeply,  and  to 
shrink  from  the  proper  discharge  of  the  duty.  But  the 
spirit  of  love  by  which  he  was  governed,  and  the  full  and 
sincere  consecration  of  himself  to  the  duties  of  the  ministry, 
sustained  him  in  this  also,  and  enabled  him  to  exercise  this 
office  with  fidelity.  The  letter  below,  a  copy  of  which  was 
sent  to  individuals  among  his  people,  as  occasion  required, 
presents  a  singular  and  beautiful  illustration  of  the  delicacy 
with  which  this  painful  duty  was  discharged  by  him,  and  the 
way  in  which  he  used,  with  experience  and  skill,  "  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,"  which  is  the  word  of  God,  in  con- 
tending with  difficulties  which  arose  around  him, 

"(private.) 
*'  My  Dear  Friend, — 

"Among  the  duties  of  the  ministry  laid  down  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, I  find  the  following,  '  to  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with 
all  long-suflfering  and  doctrine.'  I  have  frequently  found, 
that  a  hint  given  in  a  spirit  of  love,  has  been  effectual  to  re- 
move an  error  or  to  rectify  an  abuse  ;  and  thaft  such  a  hint, 
if  given  in  Scripture  language,  carries  with  it  peculiar  weight, 
I  purpose  to  adopt  this  plan.  Sometimes  I  wish  to  rebuke, 
sometimes  to  commend.  I  shall  do  both  without  offence, 
if  I  do  them  in  the  words  of  God.  To  illustrate  my  mean- 
ing :  If  I  send  this  letter  to  one  of  my  communicants,  and 


202  MEMOIR   OF 

simply  quote  at  the  bottom  Luke  x.  41,  42,  I  mean  that  one 
to  understand  that  I  think  him  or  her  neglecting  the  soul  for 
worldly  concerns.  If  I  quote  Hebrews  x.  23 — 25,  it  will  be 
understood  that  I  think  the  individual  to  whom  it  is  sent, 
negligent  in  attendance  at  the  lectures  or  prayer-meetings. 
If  I  quote  2  Corinthians  vi.  17,  it  will  be  understood  that  I 
consider  the  person  addressed  entirely  too  much  disposed  to 
enter  into  follies  and  amusements  inconsistent  with  the 
Christian  calling.  If  I  quote  1  Peter  iii.  3,  4,  it  will  be  un- 
derstood that  I  allude  to  dress,  &c.  If  I  quote  Proverbs  xvi. 
32,  it  will  be  understood  that  I  consider  the  individual  under 
the  influence  of  an  improper  spirit.  These  I  mean  as  mere 
specimens  for  explanation,  and  will  be  sufficient  to  show  my 
meaning.  The  passage  I  mean  for  you  may  be  different 
from  any  of  these,  and  you  will  see  it  at  the  bottom  of  the 
page.  I  pray  you  to  turn  to  it  at  once  ;  ascertain  what  I 
mean,  pray  over  it,  and  see  if  the  hint  thus  affectionately 
given,  may  not,  by  a  divine  blessing,  conduce  to  your  spirit- 
ual and  eternal  good.  No  one  knows  that  I  have  addressed 
this  letter  to  you.  It  is  meant  as  entirely  of  a  private  cha- 
racter. May  the  Lord  bless  you,  and  keep  you  by  his  grace, 
through  faith  unto  salvation. 

"  Your  Friend  and  Pastor." 

But  his  decision  and  boldness  in  reproving  and  warning 
were  in  no  degree  less  manifest  than  his  skill.  This  will 
be  evident  from  the  following  letter  addressed  to  a  member 
of  his  Church  whom  he  considered  as  a  backslider. 


it 


My  Dear  Friend, — 

Had  I  this  morning  received  the  melancholy  intelligence 
of  the  death  of  some  near  relative,  it  could  not  prove  so  op- 
pressive to  my  feelings  as  something  which  I  have  this  mo- 
ment heard  in  relation  to  yourself,  and  something  which  I 
can  scarcely  yet  bring  myself  to  believe.     Can  it  be  possi- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  203 

ble,  that  you  suffer  yourself  to  be  enticed  to  the  theatre — 
and  is  it  possible  that  you  have  permitted  a  ball  at  your 
house,  and  on  an  evening  too,  when  I  had  been  accustomed 
to  see  you  in  the  house  of  God  ? 

"  I  did  not  believe  these  things,  because  you  fully  knew 
my  views  on  all  these  matters,  and  as  far  as  my  recollection 
serves,  always  agreed  with  me,  in  their  being  utterly  incon- 
sistent with  the  true  Christian  profession.  And  I  was  still 
less  inclined  to  believe  these  things  because  it  was  only 
lately  that  you  voluntarily  mentioned  your  dislike  even  of 
the  character  that  your  musical  parties  had  assumed. 

"  It  is  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  tell  you  the  sorrow 
which  overpresses  my  heart  on  the  reception  of  this  informa- 
tion— sorrow  on  my  own  account,  for  I  am  selfish  in  my 
grief,  because  there  is  not  an  individual  upon  whom  my  confi- 
dence has  been  more  fully  placed  ; — sorrow  on  your  account, 
for  how  can  these  things  be  without  an  abandonment  of  Christ, 
and  the  prospect  of  eternal  ruin  as  the  consequence  ? — sorrow 
on  account  of  religion ;  for  oh,  how  many  will  stumble  and 
fall  over  this  '  stumbling  block.'  If  I  could  deny  the  truth 
of  the  information,  I  would  most  willingly  do  it  with  tears, 
and  even  write  it  in  my  own  blood.  I  know  perfectly  well 
that  there  may  be  such  things  as  family  obstacles,  in  the  way 
of  a  pleasant  discharge  of  duty.  But  it  is  impossible  that 
any  thing  should  offer  an  excuse  for  the  departure  from  the 
line  of  Christian  duty.  He  that  loveth  father  or  mother, 
wife  or  children,  more  than  Christ,  cannot  be  his  disciple ; 
and  it  is  a  Christian's  dutv  at  all  hazards,  to  rule  his  house- 
hold  after  the  precepts  of  the  Lord.  Oh,  let  me  beg  of  you, 
my  dear  friend,  to  retrace  those  wandering  footsteps — to  re- 
pent of  this  departure,  and  in  the  deepest  humility  to  seek 
the  pardon  of  the  Lord,  and  grace  to  be  a  decided  Christian. 
If  you  are  not  willing  to  be  on  the  Lord's  side,  I  pray  you 
for  your  soul's  sake,  do  not  add  to  a  worldly  course,  the 
great  condemnation  of  a  Christian  profession.     Give  up  the 


204  MEMOIR    OF 

one  or  the  other.  The  most  dangerous  of  all  states  is  an  at- 
tempt to  unite  the  two.  Oh  that  I  could  hear  you  say,  '  I 
will  arise  and  go  to  my  Father.'  For  this  I  will  pray,  for 
who  in  this  world  do  I  love  better,  my  friend  and  my  bene- 
factor ? 

"  I  hope  I  have  not  hurt  your  feelings.  As  a  minister  of 
God,  under  whose  instrumentality  you  made  a  profession  of 
rehgion,  I  have  only  discharged  my  duty,  and  discharged  it 
faithfully,  because  I  am  more  attached  to  you  than  to  any 
other.  If  you  cannot  purpose  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  Christ 
by  a  consistent  profession,  God  give  me  grace  to  mourn  as 
one  who  mourns  for  the  dead. 

"  Your  afflicted  Friend, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

The  following  pastoral  letter,  addressed  to  the  congrega- 
tion, will  show  the  fidelity  of  his  watchfulness  as  a  shep- 
herd of  the  flock,  under  another  aspect.  Whatever  was  the 
difficulty  before  him,  he  had  no  fear  in  meeting  it,  and  was 
able  always,  with  "  an  open  face,"  and  a  sincere  and  affec- 
tionate spirit,  to  go  through  the  emergencies  of  trial  to  which 
he  was  called.  The  circumstances  attending  the  present 
letter,  will  be  sufficiently  explained  in  itself. 

"  Dearly  Beloved  Brethren, — 

*'  It  is  probable  the  most  of  you  are  aware  that  it  will  not 
be  in  my  power  to  attend  to  the  usual  evening  services  of  our 
Church  until  the  weather  shall  become  more  moderate  and 
setded.  Having  suffered  much  this  season  from  exposure  to 
the  night  air,  in  consequence  of  the  peculiar  severity  of 
the  winter,  my  physician,  in  whose  judgment  I  place  im- 
plicit confidence,  has  thought  it  best  that  I  should  not  attempt 
my  customary  duties  on  Friday  evenings,  until  I  can  do  it 
with  more  probable  safety  to  myself.     To  this  aiTangement 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  205 

I  submit,  because  I  feel  that  my  own  most  earnest  desires  are 
not  to  be  put  in  competition  with  the  medical  advice  formed 
on  mature  deliberation.  God  be  praised,  I  feel  that  my 
health  is  very  materially  improved  from  what  it  was  three 
weeks  ago  ;  and  I  rejoice  in  the  prospect  of  not  being  pre- 
vented from  discharging  my  duties  on  the  Lord's-day. 

"  When  I  found  that  I  should  be  compelled  to  relinquish 
the  idea  of  lecturing  for  the  space  of  at  least  five  or  six 
weeks,  my  mind  became  painfully  exercised  as  to  what  was 
the  course  of  my  duty  in  relation  to  the  Friday  evening  lec- 
ture. I  regret  to  be  compelled  to  say  that  I  felt,  as  if  it 
might  be  my  duty  to  close  the  lectures,  because  I  did  fear 
that  the  attendance  might  be  so  diminished  as  to  be  observed 
by  those  who  would  kindly  assist  me  in  the  period  of  my 
absence.  On  mature  reflection,  however,  I  came  to  the  con- 
clusion, that  let  those  who  were  accustomed  to  attend,  take 
what  course  they  might,  it  was  my  obvious  duty  not  to  close 
up  the  opportunity  of  religious  instruction.  The  intention 
of  this  pastoral  letter,  is  to  express  my  opinion  on  a  subject 
which  has  never  ceased  to  give  uneasiness  to  my  mind,  viz  : 
the  unchristian  disposition  manifested  by  many  to  forsake 
the  instruction  of  the  Lord's  house,  whenever  the  preacher 
may  not  be  one  who  in  all  respects  may  gratify  their  tastes. 
This  is  an  unwholesome  state  of  feeling  which  I  have  long 
known  to  exist  among  ourselves,  to  a  considerable  extent ; 
and  which  cannot  be  too  strongly  reprobated  as  inconsistent 
with  a  right  state  of  feeling  towards  the  worship  and  the 
word  of  God.  Where  the  minister  who  preaches  is  known 
and  believed  to  preach  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  there  is  no 
excuse  which  can  justify  a  feeling  of  dislike  to  his  ministra- 
tions. It  is  a  direct  and  positive  proof  of  the  want  of  a 
sound  spiritual  state.  Under  no  circumstances,  unless  the 
character  of  the  minister  be  such  as  may  not  be  approved, 
or  unless  he  is  not  believed  to  deliver  the  message  of  the 

s 


206  MEMOIR     OF 

gospel  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  is  it  justifiable  to 
feel  a  disrelish  to  his  ministrations.  And  though  it  is  natural 
and  cannot  be  avoided,  to  be  more  gratified  with  one  than 
with  another,  yet  wherever  providential  circumstances  place 
a  minister  before  the  people,  reverence  for  the  word  of  God 
ought  to  ensure  him  a  respectful  attention. 

*'I  have  felt  these  things  most  painfully,  because  I  have 
seen  and  known  many  who  will  not  attend  either  on  Sundays 
or  at  the  lectures,  unless  they  are  first  assured  who  is  to  be 
the  preacher.  This  is  peculiarly  distressing  to  myself,  be- 
cause when  any  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry  assist  me,  it 
is  purely  because  they  desire  to  render  me  the  aid  which 
my  health  requires ;  and  what  ought  to  give  me  more  pain 
than  the  reflection,  that  my  own  people  are  not  willing  to  ap- 
preciate the  services  done  from  the  spirit  of  kindness  to  their 
own  minister? 

"  I  am  happy  to  say,  that  both  in  relation  to  the  services 
on  Sundays,  and  in  relation  to  these  lectures,  there  has  been 
a  manifest  improvement,  and  apparently  a  much  better  state 
of  feeling  than  formerly  existed.  And  I  do  not  write  these 
things  so  much  to  complain  of  what  at  present  exists,  as  I 
do  to  caution  you  on  a  subject  which  I  fear  is  not  as  much 
thought  of  as  it  should  be.  Especially  by  those  accustomed 
to  attend  the  lectures,  and  still  more  particularly  by  those 
who  are  the  professing  members  of  this  Church,  I  expect  a 
course  of  conduct  conformable  to  the  gospel.  Let  them  be 
in  their  places,  just  as  if  I  was  to  be  there ;  let  them  give 
heed  to  the  message  just  as  if  I  had  been  so  highly  privileged 
as  to  deliver  it.  It  is  in  this  way  alone,  that  a  blessing  can 
be  expected,  and  I  hardly  need  to  say,  that  it  is  in  this  way 
alone  that  my  feelings  can  be  gratified.  Let  me  but  see  that 
the  services  of  my  dear  brethren  who  kindly  assist  me  are 
duly  appreciated,  and  I  shall  then  take  pleasure  in  addressing 
you,  when  in  the  mercy  of  God,  I  may  again  be  permitted  to 
resume  the  lectures  myself;  but  it  will  be  with  pain  that  I 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  207 

shall  come  back,  if  I  find  that  the  attendance  in  the  mean 
time  has  been  much  depreciated. 

"  It  is  my  anxious  desire  for  your  spiritual  welfare,  breth- 
ren, that  has  induced  me  to  touch,  even  lightly  as  I  have, 
on  this  subject.  But  I  do  wish  my  beloved  people  under  all 
circumstances,  to  love  and  honour  the  gospel  for  the  gospel's 
sake,  and  to  feel  that  they  are  highly  distinguished  by  God 
in  being  at  all  permitted  to  hear  the  gospel  in  its  purity ;  and 
let  me  beseech  you  all  to  seek  to  profit  by  that  preaching, 
and  earnestly  to  take  heed  to  the  things  which  you  hear,  lest 
at  any  time  you  should  let  them  slip.  Whether  it  is  I,  your 
minister  set  over  you  in  the  Lord,  or  whether  it  is  any  one 
of  my  brethren  whose  good  will  to  me  has  induced  them  to 
consent  to  this  duty,  who  addresses  you,  oh!  let  the  gospel 
be  mixed  with  faith,  so  that  instead  of  being  a  savour  of 
death  unto  death,  it  may  be  a  savour  of  life  unto  life.  Too 
long  have  very  many  of  you  neglected  the  things  which  con- 
cern your  everlasting  peace  ;  too  long  have  you  misused  the 
mercies  of  God ;  too  long  have  you  trampled  under  foot  the  love 
of  a  Saviour.  I  pray  you  cease  from  these  things  and  return 
unto  the  Lord.  In  this  your  day  of  merciful  visitation,  he 
stands  ready  to  receive  you,  and  pardon  your  sins,  and  for- 
give you  freely.  May  the  Lord  have  you  in  his  holy  keep- 
ing ;  may  he  lift  up  the  light  of  his  countenance  upon  you, 
and  give  you  peace  here  and  happiness  hereafter,  is  the  prayer, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  of 

"  Your  affectionate  Friend  and  Pastor." 

No  one  could  feel  more  deeply  the  importance  for  a  pastor, 
of  cultivating  habits  of  frequent  and  affectionate  intercourse 
with  the  people  of  his  charge.  In  connexion  with  all  the 
instruments  of  good  to  which  we  have  already  referred,  he 
considered  habitual  visiting  among  them  as  the  best  method, 
not  only  of  obtaining  a  correct  view  of  their  peculiar  charac- 
ters, circumstances,  and  feelings,  but  also  of  tlischarging  the 


208  MEMOIROF 

obligations  of  an  efficient  teacher,  and  a  watchful  shepherd. 
His  habit  of  personal  visiting  was  necessarily  very  much  af- 
fected by  the  decline  of  his  health.  But  as  long  as  he  was 
at  all  able  to  fulfil  this  part  of  his  duty,  it  was  one  in  which 
he  took  great  delight,  and  in  which  he  was  especially  useful. 
He  adopted  various  methods  in  the  performance  of  pastoral 
visits,  that  he  might  secure  a  regular  and  proper  portion  of 
attention  to  every  family.  He  kept  an  alphabetical  register 
of  the  congregation,  and  marked  under  its  proper  date  every 
visit  which  was  made  to  each  family,  and  made  proper  notes 
to  guide  him  in  the  use  of  any  circumstances  of  an  interest- 
ing character  which  occurred  in  his  connexion  with  indivi- 
dual families.  If  there  was  any  appearance  of  serious 
inquiry  or  attention  in  any  family  among  those  who  had  not 
given  themselves  up  to  the  Lord,  an  early  day  was  appointed 
for  the  repetition  of  his  visit.  He  watched  all  indications  of 
good,  and  tried  to  take  advantage  of  them  all.  His  general 
object  was  to  accomplish  three  visits  in  each  year  to  every 
family,  beside  his  occasional  visits  to  the  sick  and  the  afflict- 
ed. This  extent  of  duty,  however,  the  increase  of  his  con- 
gregation, and  the  failure  of  his  own  health,  for  some  years 
previous  to  his  death,  placed  quite  beyond  his  power. 

Until  the  decline  of  his  health  rendered  the  night  air  preju- 
dicial and  dangerous,  he  often  made  evening  pastoral  visits 
upon  the  following  plan.  The  family  at  whose  house  he  had 
appointed  to  be  on  the  designated  evening,  invited  such  of  their 
friends  as  they  thought  proper,  and  when  joined  by  their 
pastor  and  his  family,  the  evening  was  passed  in  conversa- 
tion upon  religious  subjects  and  duties,  calculated  to  bring  to 
view  personal  difficulties  and  interests,  and  was  closed  with 
the  reading  and  exposition  of  the  Scriptures,  and  with 
prayer.  These  pastoral  visits  were  characterized  by  the 
manner  m  which  he  received  his  friends  at  his  own  house. 
Religion  was  there  always  the  prominent  subject,  while  his 
simplicity  and  cheerfulness,  and  ease  of  manners,  made  it 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  209 

always  a  welcome  and  interesting  subject.  The  benefit  and 
gratification  which  was  derived  from  these  visits,  made  the 
reluctance  at  separating,  when  the  proper  hour  had  arrived, 
entirely  mutual. 

In  his  visits  to  the  sick  and  afflicted,  the  meekness  and  so- 
lemnity  of  his  deportment,  united  with  the  spirituality  and 
experience  and  knowledge  of  religious  tmth,  exhibited  in  his 
conversation,  secured  the  deepest  attention  and  interest,  and 
made  him  an  uniform  instrument  of  good  in  the  hands  of 
God.  The  most  obdurate  hearts  were  subdued,  and  some- 
times whole  families  were  blessed  by  the  grace  of  God  under- 
his  peculiarly  excellent  ministrations.  On  one  occasion, 
when  he  was  visiting  one  of  the  members  of  his  charge  in 
sickness,  this  fact  was  particularly  illustrated.  The  family 
with  whom  this  person  resided,  and  who  were  not  professors 
of  religion,  were,  at  the  request  of  the  sick  man,  invited  to  be 
present.  The  disease  of  this  person  was  considered  incurable, 
and  the  scene  was  well  calculated  to  awaken  and  impress 
even  the  most  thoughtless  and  indifferent.  One  among  the 
family,  who  had  been  a  long  time  the  subject  of  disease,  and 
who  was  confined  to  her  room,  refused  at  first  to  be  carried 
into  the  other  room.  Her  mind  had  been  much  prejudiced 
against  this  minister  of  the  Lord,  and  the  strictness  of  reli- 
gious course  and  character  which  he  inculcated.  But  after 
much  solicitation  she  yielded,  and  having  been  thus  an  eye 
witness,  as  she  afterwards  said,  of  the  gentleness  and  holi- 
ness of  his  manner,  and  of  the  peaceful  and  attractive  se- 
renity of  such  a  chamber  of  death,  she  expressed  an  earnest 
desire  to  have  an  interview  with  the  pastor  on  her  own  ac- 
count. He  placed  before  her  a  simple  view  of  the  plan  of 
salvation,  and,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  she  was  enabled 
clearly  to  understand  the  system  of  the  gospel,  and  to  em- 
brace it  as  her  hope.  She  shortly  died  in  the  consolation 
and  triumph  of  faith,  and  for  her  few  remaining  days,  she 

ceased  not  to  bless  God,  who  had  sent  to  her  aid  such  a 

s2 


210  MEMOIR    OF 

guide  in  the  ways  of  eternal  life.  The  good  which  was  thus 
begun  in  this  family,  continued  under  his  ministrations,  until 
every  member  of  it,  varying  in  age  from  seventeen  to  eighty 
years,  was  rejoicing  in  God  the  Saviour. 

These  instances  of  his  usefulness  in  his  private  ministry 
are  in  no  degree  peculiar.  Such  as  he  appeared  on  these 
occasions,  he  always  was.  Habitually  anxious  to  do  good, 
he  lost  no  opportunity  to  proclaim  the  riches  of  a  Saviour's 
mercy  to  the  perishing  children  of  men.  The  following 
instances,  communicated  by  a  member  of  his  Church,  will 
illustrate  this  prevailing  spirit. 

"  His  simplicity  was  striking,  as  it  is  in   all  the  truly 
great — it  was  a  childlike  simplicity,  which  blended  as  it  was 
with  dignity,  kindness    and    unobtrusive  solicitude   for  the 
welfare  of  his  fellow  men,  was  well  calculated  to  inspire  the 
beholder  with  feelings  of  reverence  and  admiration,  know- 
ing they  were  the  companions  of  deep,  practical  piety,  which 
was  evinced  first,  by  his  humility,  and  secondly,  his  self- 
denial.     I  well  remember  an  instance  of  the  latter.     It  was 
the  first  season  the  cholera  made  its  appearance  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  ;  every  one  near  us  seemed  filled  with  alarm,  quite 
different  from  their  former  deportment ;  but  in  him  you  could 
observe  not  the  slightest  change,  either  in  tone  or  manner ; 
before  this  he  had  seemed  more  solemn  than  those  who  were 
about  him  ;  now  they  were  more  solemn  than   he  was.     I 
presume  he  long  lived  as  with  eternity  just  opening  before 
him,  and  this  to  others   alarming  messenger  to  the  grave, 
gave  him  no  sensation  so  new  as  to  change  his  calmness  to 
fear  or  affright,  notwithstanding  he  was  in  peculiarly  trying 
circumstances.     His  only  son  was  at  the  Flushing  Institute  ; 
all  communication  was  entirely  interdicted   between  New- 
York  and  Philadelphia,  and  thus  his  return  to  his  family  at 
this   trying  season  was   impossible.     Dr.  Bedell  had  just 
learned  all  these  particulars,  the  existence  of  the  plague  and 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  211 

the  impracticability  of  having  his  son  with  him,  <Sz;c.  ;  yet 
he  left  all,  not  even  once  so  much  as  alluding  to  his  own 
concerns,  and  devoted  himself  to  counsel  and  support  others 
who  needed  his  direction ;  yes,  he  meekly  sat  with  us  in 
affliction,  appearing  not  even  to  think  of  himself  or  his 
child,  until  we  came  to  a  satisfactory  decision  relative  to  our 
affairs. 

*  *  *  "  One  evening  I  had  been  conversing  with  a  friend 
while  Dr.  B.  was  present;  we  only  parted  for  family  prayers. 
Dr.  B.  led  family  worship;  it  was  almost  incredible  that  he 
and  my  friend  should  have  had  no  conversation  together  pre- 
vious to  worship,  for  his  lecture  on  one  of  the  Psalms  was 
so  strangely  in  connexion — "  persevere,  confess  your  sins  to 
God,  go  to  the  foot  of  the  cross."  This  was  the  substance 
of  his  exhortation.  My  friend  remarked  this  wonderful  simi- 
larity, saying,  the  good  Spirit  put  it  into  his  mind,  the  Lord 
saw  our  little  meeting — (I  was  then  under  deep  exercise  of 
mind,  but  I  think  not  a  converted  Christian) — it  really  seem- 
as  if  he  might  have  been  present  and  heard  every  word 
which  we  had  spoken,  and  just  have  gone  on  from  where 
we  left  off.  But  no  one  but  God  the  Spirit,  had  influenced 
his  mind.  The  hymn,  at  least,  I  really  thought  my  friend 
handed  him,  but  she  had  not. 

*  *  *  "  On  another  occasion,  Dr.  Bedell  came  and  sat  about 
two  hours.  The  day  before  I  had  been  told  it  was  impossible 
for  him  to  come ;  and  how  did  he  come  !  He  then  had  a 
blister  on  his  breast,  and  had  had  seven,  since  he  had  seen 
us !  What  a  state  of  health  !  and  thus  he  laboured ;  but  he 
has  *  entered  into  rest.'  How  glorious  the  repose  for  a 
Christian  soldier  after  such  warfare  !  What  are  we  sowing, 
and  how  ?  is  it  good  seed  ?  and  do  we  sow  it  '  sparingly,'  or 
do  we  sow  it  '  plentifully  ?'  May  we  be  enabled  to  work 
while  it  is  day.  We  have  but  a  winter  day — short,  dark  and 
fleeting — in  this  cold  land  of  our  pilgrimage.  But  I  have  di- 
gressed— I  was  led  away  by  my  feelings.  During  the  above- 


212  MEMOIR   OF 

mentioned  visit,  our  conversation  was  principally  on  the 
communion.  One  of  his  observations  was,  '  if  a  root  of 
bitterness  remained  in  the  heart,  he  thought  there  was  room 
to  fear  for  the  state  of  that  soul.'  Some  one  told  him  we 
were  his  chickens ;  he  sweetly  laughed  and  replied,  '  I  only 
hope  I  shall  be  able  to  feed  you.'  Left  us  Bickersteth  on  the 
Lord's  Supper  to  read. 

*  *  *  a  I  once  took  tea  at  Dr.  Bedell's  ; — he  had  family  ser- 
vice— he  was  very  sick — his  little  daughter  stood  by  him  and 
read  a  portion  of  Scripture  aloud.  He  prayed — and  O  Avhen 
he  said,  as  if  for  his  own  soul,  '  not  for  any  works  of  righte- 
ousness which  we  have  done,'  I  thought  if  such  an  one 
could  exclaim  '  not  for  any  works  of  righteousness,'  &c. 
what  should  be  the  cry  of  thousands  of  professing  Chris- 
tians, professors  of  the  same  Christianity,  and  blessed  (or 
cursed  it  may  be  if  they  abuse  the  talent)  with  bodily  health 
far  different  from  his." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  213 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


FASTORAL    CHARACTER PRATER    MEETINGS REVIVALS  OF  RELIGION 

REGULARITY  IN  SERVICES. 

The  pastoral  character  of  Dr.  Bedell  was  exhibited  in  so 
many  varied  attributes  of  excellence,  that  I  feel  myself  called 
upon,  to  dwell  upon  it  with  much  minuteness.  A  more 
valuable  model  of  ministerial  fidelity  and  wisdom,  can  hardly 
be  presented  by  the  history  of  the  Church.  Beside  the 
various  characteristics  of  his  ministry  already  exhibited — 
others  equally  valuable  remain  to  be  noticed.  One  very  im- 
portant and  influential  department  of  his  pastoral  duty  was 
the  establishment  of  frequent  religious  meetings  during  the 
week  ;  both  those  which  regularly  occurred  for  social  prayer 
and  improvement  in  every  week,  and  those  which  were  oc- 
casional and  connected  with  the  changing  seasons  of  the 
year,  and  the  circumstances  of  his  congregation.  He  ap- 
pointed a  regular  lecture  on  Friday  evening  of  each  week, 
which,  for  some  years,  was  held  in  the  lecture-room  belong- 
ing to  the  Church,  but  afterwards,  in  consequence  of  the  in- 
crease of  attendance,  entirely  beyond  the  capacity  of  the 
room,  was  transferred  to  the  Church.  These  lectures  were 
generally  familiar  expositions  of  Scripture,  especially  adapt- 
ed to  the  cultivation  of  Christian  character  in  those  who  had 
professed  themselves  to  be  the  followers  of  the  Saviour,  pre- 


214  ME  MOI  R    OF 

suming  that  the  larger  portion  of  the  congregation  assembled 
upon  such  occasions  was  composed  of  this  description  of 
hearers.  He  had  great  facility  in  a  simple  style  of  extem- 
poraneous speaking,  and  probably  none  of  his  services  were 
more  interesting  or  instructive  to  the  serious  portion  of  his 
audience,  than  these  informal  lectures.  They  furnished  oc- 
casions too,  by  which  many  persons  who  were  not  statedly 
under  his  ministry,  gained  a  knowledge  of  the  truth ;  and 
many  souls  are  the  seals  of  his  apostleship,  both  as  members 
of  the  Church  to  which  his  life  was  especially  devoted,  and 
of  others  also,  who  received  their  first  valuable  religious  im- 
pressions and  instruction  by  being  induced  to  attend  this 
Friday  evening  service  at  St.  Andrew's  Church.  On  Satur- 
day evening  of  every  week,  there  was  a  social  meeting  for 
prayer  among  the  members  of  the  Church,  which  he  attend- 
ed as  frequently  as  his  health  and  other  duties  would  allow. 
His  heart  was  much  devoted  to  the  encouragement  of  the 
spirit  and  habit  of  prayer  among  his  people.  Duiing  the 
season  of  Lent,  a  prayer-meeting  was  held  every  day,  some- 
times when  the  season  would  permit  it  with  convenience,  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  and  at  others,  in  the  afternoon. 
Every  Friday  in  Lent  was  set  apart  as  a  special  season  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  when,  during  some  seasons,  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  members  of  the  Church  were  assembled  three 
several  times  in  the  day  for  the  worship  of  God.  From 
these  seasons,  the  richest  blessings  have  flowed  to  the  con- 
gregation, and  numbers,  as  the  divine  answer  to  the  prayers 
of  the  people  of  God,  have  been  brought  from  darkness  to 
his  marvellous  light.  Beside  these  occasions,  there  was  ob- 
served a  monthly  prayer-meeting  in  connexion  with  the  great 
cause  of  Christian  missions,  and  also  frequent  meetings  of 
the  Sunday-school  teachers,  Bible  classes,  and  religious  so- 
cieties of  the  Church.  Nearly  every  day  in  the  year,  there 
was  some  religious  meeting  in  connexion  with  St.  Andrew's 
Church.     This  was  an  important  item  in  the  ministry  of 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  215 

Dr.  Bedell.  He  begun,  continued,  and  ended  every  effort 
in  prayer.  His  views  of  the  importance  of  meetings  for 
prayer  among  the  members  of  his  Church  were  well  known, 
and  very  decided.  They  characterized  his  whole  habit  of 
ministry  in  connexion  with  St.  Andrew's  Church.  Very 
often  on  Sunday,  after  the  regular  services  of  the  day  were 
conchided,  he  invited  the  members  of  the  Church  to  a  meet- 
ing for  prayer  in  the  vestry-room,  for  a  blessing  upon  the 
labours  of  the  day.  The  prominence  which  he  gave  to  these 
views  has  been  already  remarkably  displayed  in  the  fact  re- 
lated, of  their  plain  and  fearless  introduction  in  an  address  at 
a  meeting  in  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  for  the  formation 
of  a  Prayer-book  Society,  at  which  the  venerable  Bishop 
White  presided,  and  most  of  the  clergy  of  the  city  were  pre- 
sent. To  this  fact  there  is  given  a  peculiar  interest,  from  its 
having  been  his  last  anniversary  address,  but  a  few  months 
before  his  death,  and  after  his  health  had  been  proclaimed 
by  his  physician  to  be  verging  to  the  close  of  life,  and  of 
course  the  final  and  deliberate  conclusion  of  his  extensive 
and  experienced  ministry.  He  was  perfectly  aware  of 
the  exceptions  which  were  made  to  this  part  of  his  minis- 
try, as  countenancing  irregularities  in  the  Church.  But 
while  he  was  satisfied  of  the  groundless  character  of  the 
charge,  it  altered  not  his  own  views,  or  purpose,  or  course. 
And  the  manifest  blessing  which  has  rested  upon  his  efforts 
to  do  good  among  the  people  of  his  charge,  will  show  that, 
however  men  might,  in  some  cases,  think  proper  to  con- 
demn, God  has  been  pleased  to  accept  and  approve. 

In  the  followinor  extract  from  a  letter  to  some  friends  in 
England,  he  alludes  to  an  affecting  instance  of  what  he 
deemed  to  be  the  result  of  the  united  prayers  of  his  people. 

"  In  your  former  letter  you  allude  to  the  illness  with  which 
I  was  seized,  just  before  your  departure  from  America.  In- 
deed I  never  had  an  attack  which  prostrated  me  so  much  as 


216  MEMOIR    OF 

that.  The  Ijmi  in  mercy  brought  me  through,  and  ever 
since  my  health  has  been  considerably  better.  To  his  gra- 
cious name  be  all  the  praise.  It  will  be  interesting  to  you 
to  learn,  that  during  the  whole  of  that  sickness,  my  dear 
pious  people  met  together  to  pray  for  me,  and  on  Good  Fri- 
day, connected  with  all  the  other  solemnities  of  that  solemn 
day,  were  engaged  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  moining,  until 
six  in  the  evening,  having  never  left  the  room  in  which  they 
had  assembled,  except  for  the  public  service.  At  five  o'clock 
that  afternoon,  the  crisis  of  my  disease  was  passed.  Dr.  M. 
when  he  came  in,  pronounced  the  change  decidedly  for  the 
better.  At  that  hour  of  prayer  and  supplication,  the  fever 
left  me,  and  from  that  time,  I  speedily  recovered.  I  take  it 
at  the  hand  of  God,  as  an  answer  to  the  prayers  of  his  own 
people.  May  I  pray  for  them,  and  labour  for  them,  while 
prayer  and  labour  are  yet  within  my  reach.  I  have  a  blessed 
company  of  God's  people  about  me,  to  hold  up  my  hands. 
I  trust  I  can  say  of  the  most  of  our  communicants,  from  all 
that  can  be  judged,  they  are  of  '  such  as  shall  be  saved.'  " 

The  subject  of  prayer-meetings  and  social  weekly  religious 
services,  ought  not  to  be  passed  over  in  this  biography,  without 
expressing  unfeigned  thankfulness  at  the  change  which  God 
has  wrought  in  the  minds  of  many  in  regard  to  it.  The  princi- 
ples which  marked  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Bedell  in  this  respect, 
have  been  now  extended  far  and  wide  in  the  Episcopal 
Church.  The  minister  who  is  without  what  used  to  be  call- 
ed, by  way  of  contempt,  "night  meetings,"  is  now  an  ex- 
ception to  the  rule  which  governs  in  the  practice  of  the 
Church.  The  "  Lecture  Room"  is  considered  throughout 
our  borders,  a  most  desirable,  nay,  an  almost  indispensable 
appendage  to  the  consecrated  house  of  God.  Every  year 
is  adding  to  the  extension  of  these  blessed  evidences  and  in- 
struments of  good  in  our  Sion,  and  every  year  is  accordingly 
witnessing  the  increase  of  true  and  effectual  piety  among 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  217 

our  people.  When  Dr.  Bedell's  ministry  commenced  in 
Philadelphia,  he  had  few  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  co-ope- 
rate in  what  were  then  considered  irregularities  in  the  Church. 
In  one  of  his  sermons  he  thus  refers  to,  and  answers  a  diffi- 
culty, which  he  found  thrown  in  his  way. 

"  Where  grace  reigns  in  lively  exercise,  there  is  nothing 
so  delightful  as  the  privilege  of  social  worship.     The  lively 
Christian  loves  every  opportunity  of  prayer,  whether  it  be 
the  small  circle  of  the  prayer-meeting,  or  the  weekly  lecture, 
or  the  more  stately  and  well  ordered  devotions  of  the  conse- 
crated sanctuary;  and  there  are  few  circumstances  which 
can  keep  him  from  availing  himself  of  all  these  helps  and  privi- 
leges.    But  lukewarmness  lays  its  cold  hand  on  all  these 
things.     By  some,  for  instance,  the  social  prayer-meeting  is 
objected  to,  because  they  say,  that  it  is  not  orthodox ; — the 
Church  disallows  it;  it  is  a  nursery  for  spiritual  pride.    Now 
as   a  matter   of  vindication,   I  have   only  to  say,  that  the 
Church  says  no  such  thing,  however  some  may  have  thus 
represented.     Several   of   the   most   spiritual   and    devoted 
Bishops  which  we  have  in  this  country,  are  the  warm  and 
decided  advocates  of  these  exercises.     One  of  these  Bishops 
has  written  largely  upon  this  subject;  and  in  relation  to  an- 
other, I  can  say,  from  personal  knowledge,  that  on  one  visit 
made  by  myself,  I  attended  eleven  of  this  kind  of  meetings, 
in  the  space  of  a  fortnight.     So  much  on  the  subject  of  their 
regularity  and  orthodoxy.     But  here  is  the  true  secret,  in 
the   great  majority  of   instances,    'because    thou  art   luke- 
warm.'    Let  me  not  be  misunderstood.     I  grant  that  there 
are  many  persons  who  do  really  and  conscientiously  believe 
that  they  cannot  profitably  encourage  them ;  yet  as  to  the 
majority  of  cases,  where  objections  are  made  to  prayer-meet- 
ings, it  is  because  lukewarmness  has  clothed  herself  in  the 
mistaken  garb  of  orthodoxy  and  regularity." 

T 


218  MEMOIR   OF 

But  the  difficulty  here  referred  to  now  hardly  exists  among 
us.  The  concession  is  universal,  that  services  of  a  less  formal 
character  than  the  public  services  of  the  Lord's-day  are  indis- 
pensable to  the  maintenance  of  the  spirit  and  dominion  of  true 
piety.  Upon  this  subject,  controversy  has  ceased  among  us, 
and  Judah  no  longer  vexes  Ephraim.  In  a  ministry  now  not  a 
short  one,  in  the  same  city  in  which  Dr.  Bedell  laboured,  I 
am  bound  to  bear  my  testimony,  that  I  have  never  met  with, 
nor  heard  of  an  objection  to  the  discharge  of  my  duties  upon 
such  principles,  as  seem  to  me,  to  be  most  expedient, — while 
I  have  witnessed  "night  meetings"  of  some  description,  for 
religious  services  and  the  promotion  of  piety,  established  and 
encouraged,  by  every  clergyman,  and  in  every  congregation 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  this  city.  How  glorious  and 
delightful  is  the  progress  of  truth  and  peace  among  us !  The 
Episcopal  Church  is  seen  united  in  all  her  borders ; — her 
ministers  labouring  to  preach,  Christ  the  wisdom  of  God, 
and  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  for  man  ; — encouraging 
each  other  in  the  work  committed  to  them,  and  all  conceding 
to  all,  the  liberty  of  fulfilling  the  ministry  which  they  have 
received,  according  to  their  views  of  right  and  duty,  in  the 
full  and  affectionate  conformity  which  all  have  promised, 
"to  the  doctrine,  discipline,  and  worship  of  the  Church." 
Happy  are  we  in  such  a  case !  May  God  be  praised  for  the 
blessing,  and  continue  the  unspeakable  benefit  to  us,  and  our 
heirs  for  ever ! 

In  connexion  with  this  subject  may  be  also  related  the  con* 
tinned  earnestness  of  Dr.  Bedell  for  the  increase  and  revival  of 
true  piety  in  his  Church,  and  the  frequency  and  extent  in  which 
the  Church  was  blessed  with  precious  seasons  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  God.  While  he  was  the  rector  of  St. 
Andrew's  Church,  there  were  several  of  those  blessed  out- 
pourings of  the  Spirit  of  God,  with  which  the  American 
Churches  have  been  so  frequently  favoured,  under  which 
many  souls  together  were  awakened  from  sin,  and  brought  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  219 

a  knowledge  and  acceptance  of  forgiveness  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  These  seasons  of  revival,  it  may  be 
remarked,  generally  followed  the  weeks  of  Lent,  which  had 
been  passed,  as  we  have  seen,  by  this  people  in  habitual 
prayer.  His  eager  desire  for  the  conversion  of  his  hearers 
kept  him  ever  upon  the  watch,  for  any  promising  indications 
among  them,  of  special  attention  to  the  great  concerns  of  their 
souls.  He  marked  the  first  manifestation  of  peculiar  serious- 
ness and  interest,  and  welcomed  it  as  the  dawn  of  glorious 
light.  He  immediately  called  together,  in  a  separate  and 
stated  meeting  for  prayer  and  religious  conversation,  all 
whose  minds  were  seriously  impressed  with  a  view  of  their  own 
dangers  and  wants ;  and  like  a  faithful  shepherd,  having  thus 
withdrawn  the  feeble  from  the  residue  of  the  flock,  he  set 
himself  to  bind  up  the  broken  heart,  to  guide  the  seeking 
soul  to  Christ,  and  to  lead  them  all,  to  a  full  and  immediate 
acceptance  of  the  divine  offers  of  salvation,  and  to  an  unre- 
served dedication  of  themselves  to  God.  The  results  of 
these  meetings  for  awakened  and  anxious  persons,  were  most 
valuable  and  happy.  He  became  individually  acquainted 
with  the  cases,  and  feelings,  and  circumstances  of  all ;  and 
they  found  in  the  advice  and  exhortation  which  he  was  able 
thus  to  give  them,  the  means  of  wisdom  unto  salvation.  In 
preparing  those,  who  gave  evidence  that  they  had  believed 
with  their  hearts  unto  righteousness,  for  a  public  profession  of 
religion,  we  have  already  seen  evidence  of  his  vigilant  and 
guarded  habit.  He  watched  over  them  and  instructed  them 
as  a  father  does  his  children,  meeting  them  collectively  and 
individually,  again  and  again,  for  instruction  and  prayer,  in 
reference  to  the  profession  which  they  were  to  make,  of 
personal  devotion  to  God  their  Saviour.  In  his  arrange- 
ments for  the  occasion  of  their  confirmation,  his  remarkable 
love  for  order  and  harmony  left  no  circumstance  unnoticed 
that  might  promote  the  serious  impression  or  happy  feeling 
which  he  desired  to  have  produced.     Every  candidate  for 


230  MEMOIROF 

the  ordinance  had  a  particular  seat  and  position  assigned, 
so  that  there  could  be  no  confusion,  nor  any  disturbance  from 
this  source,  of  the  state  of  feehng  which  he  desired.  As  the 
result  of  this  care  in  all  arrangements,  both  those  of  the 
greater  and  less  consequence  in  themselves,  there  was  uniform- 
ly an  important  and  deep  impression  produced  upon  the  minds 
of  the  congregation,  by  the  administration  of  this  ordinance ;  as 
there  was  also  by  his  method  of  administering  all  the  Chris- 
tian ordinances  ;  and  many  have  dated  their  first  desires  for  a 
religious  character  and  hope,  from  a  personal  observation  of 
these  interesting  scenes.  One  such  occasion  is  described  in 
the  following  extract : — 

"  During  a  period  of  great  seriousness,  and  very  soon 
after  I  had  professed  the  name  of  Christ,  many  were  about 
to  make  a  public  profession  of  rehgion  ;  our  dear  pastor  had 
delivered  a  deeply  interesting  course  of  lectures,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  confirmation,  and  had  conversed  privately  with  all 
the  candidates  about  to  partake  of  that  solemn  rite.  None 
could  say  that  they  were  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  those 
vows  which  were  to  be  ratified  by  the  recipient  of  confirma- 
tion it  St.  Andrew's.  Faithfully,  perseveringly,  and  aflfec- 
tionately  did  Dr.  Bedell,  both  in  season  and  out  of  season, 
instruct  all  who  came  to  him  for  counsel,  upon  a  subject  of 
such  deep  solemnity.  Sabbath  morning  was  the  season  se- 
lected on  this  occasion,  and  when  memory  reverts  to  that 
morning,  my  heart  feels  as  though  it  would  invoke  the 
holy  influence  which  pervaded  the  sanctuary  on  that  blessed 
day,  and  from  its  deepest  recesses,  breathe  desires  like  these, 
Come,  blessed  Spirit !  who  wert  so  sweetly  present  then, 
and  visit  again  all  our  hearts  with  the  same  elevating  influence 
which  then  touched  us  with  hallowed  emotions  of  penitence 
and  love. 

"At  an  early  hour  the  candidates  had  all  assembled,   I 
think  above  fifty  were  present ;  they  were  seated  in  pews 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  221 

near  the  chancel,  and  presented  an  appearance  of  solemnity, 
simplicity,  and  devotion,  which  was  touching  in  the  extreme ; 
there  was  reason  to  hope  that  in  every  case,  they  were  about 
cheerfully,  understandingly,  and  without  reserve,  to  dedicate 
themselves  to  the  service  of  God.     They  were  almost  all  in 
the  freshest  season  of  youth,  and  there  in  the  sanctuary,  be- 
fore the  altar  of  the  Most  High,  removed  far  away  from  the 
busy  scenes  of  the  world,  they  had  turned  aside  to  sit  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus  ;  like  Mary,  to  choose  that  better  part,  which 
shall  not  be  taken  away  from  them  ;  many  had  left  father  and 
mother,  sister  and  brother,  to  follow  Christ ;  youth,  beauty, 
and  talent  knelt  that  day  beneath  the  cross  of  Jesus,  and  in 
the  presence  of  men  and  angels,  vowed  to  be  his  for  ever. 
It  was  a  scene  with  which  the  world  cannot  sympathize,  for 
it  could  not  yield  them  joy  to  see  so  many  of  their  young 
companions  leaving  their  ranks  and  joining  themselves  unto 
the  crucified  Saviour.     In  the  afternoon,  they  were  all  again 
assembled  in  the  same  seats,  to  hear  from  the  lips  of  their 
spiritual   father,  a  sermon   addressed    to  them  from  these 
words — '  When    thou   vowest   a  vow,  defer  not   to  pay.' 
Doubtless  you  remember  with  what  fidelity  he  warned  them 
of  their  dangers,  encouraged  them  by  directing  them  to  the 
*  Captain  of  their  salvation,'  commended  them  to  the  prayers 
and  counsels  of  their  Christian  brethren,  and  with  holy  love 
to  him  '  who  was  able  to  keep  them  from  falling.'     Even 
now  can  I  hear  the  solemn  tones  of  his  voice,  trembling  with 
emotion,  repeating  these  words  : 

"  '  We  share  our  mutual  woes, 

Our  mutual  burdens  bear, 
And  often  for  each  other  flows 

The  sympathizing  tear.' 

*'  When,  oh !  when,  shall  we  see  another  so  humble,  so 

faithful,  and  affectionate  as  he  was  ;  so  pure  in  life,  so  wise, 

and  yet  so  gentle  ?     May  the  Lord,  by  his  grace,  qualify 

T  2 


222  MEMOIR   OF 

another  in  like  manner  to  break  unto  us  the  bread  of  life. 
On  the  following  Sunday  was  the  Christmas  communion, 
when  these  youthful  Christians  were,  for  the  first  time,  to 
partake  of  the  symbols  of  a  Saviour's  love.  Dr.  B.  re- 
quested them  to  remain  until  the  last,  and  to  advance  alone. 
As  they  approached  the  table,  the  hymn  was  sung  com- 
mencing thus  : — 

O,  happy  day,  that  slays  my  choice, 
On  thee,  my  Saviour,  and  my  God  ; 

Well  may  this  glowing  heart  rejoice. 
And  tell  thy  goodness  all  abroad. 

And  when  the  youthful  band  knelt  around  the  sacred  board, 
I  think  few  scenes  on  this  side  of  eternity  could   compare 
with   that   for  interest.     Many,  nay,  almost  all,  were   the 
spiritual  children  of  Dr.   B.;  and  as    he  gazed  upon  the 
kneeling   company,   his    countenance   fully   expressed   the 
strong  yearnings  of  affection  which  he  felt  for  those  lambs 
of  the  flock.     Before  he  administered  to  them  the  conse- 
crated emblems,  he  addressed  a  few  suitable  words  of  ex- 
hortation and  encouragement  to  the  new  recipients.     What 
changes  have  passed  over  us  since  that  happy  period  !  Some 
who   assembled  with  us  then,  have  gone  rejoicing  to  their 
rest ;  some  have  removed  to  other  scenes,  formed  other  con- 
nexions, but  are  still  dear  to  our  hearts  as  Christians.     Some 
few  '  have  forsaken  us,  having  loved  the  present  world.' 
And  the  pastor's  form  reposes  sweetly  beneath  the  shadow 
of  the  Church  he  loved,  but  the  spirits  who  were  there  still 
exist.     Death  cannot  wholly  sever  us  ;  the  golden  chain  of 
love  which  binds  us  all  together  is  only  lengthened ;  every 
Christian  friend,  whether  in  or  out  of  the  body,  still  forms 
one  link  of  that  strong  attraction,  which  will  at  last  raise  us 
all  to  that  place,  '  where  the  voice  of  parting  shall  be  no 
more  heard.'     When  recalling  events  like  these,  departed 
privileges  stand  before  me  in  all  their  freshness,  and  these 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  223 

blessed,  holy  hours,  even  now  shed  over  my  spirit  the  same 
sweet  and  elevating  influence  which  made  them  then  so  pre- 
cious. Changes  have  indeed  passed  over  us  all  since  then  ; 
but  of  this  I  am  well  assured,  that  no  future  events  can  ever 
banish  wholly  from  our  hearts  the  fond  remembrance  of 
these  vanished  hours." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  of  Dr.  Bedell  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Henderson,  refer  some  of  them  to  the  circum- 
stances which  have  been  just  related,  and  others  to  similar 
occasions  of  awakened  attention  to  religion  among  the  con- 
gregation of  St.  Andrew's  Church  in  other  years.  They 
serve  incidentally  to  exhibit  also,  how  much  he  prized  these 
seasons  of  grace,  and  how  entirely  his  heart  and  his  time 
were  occupied  in  the  various  duties  which  they  brought  upon 
him.  In  the  feeling  of  St.  Paul  he  seemed  to  "  hve,"  in 
the  proportion  in  which  his  people  were  converted  from  sin, 
and  stood  "  fast  in  the  Lord."  And  amidst  all  his  bodily 
weakness  and  suflfering,  in  this  he  could  always  rejoice,  and 
for  this  he  was  always  ready  to  "  spend  and  be  spent."  In 
reference  to  the  extracts  which  follow,  Mr.  H.  remarks  : — 

"  It  will  be  observed,  from  expressions  in  this  and  the  fol- 
lowing letters,  that  the  congregation  of  St.  Andrew's  was 
favoured  at  this  time  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  religious 
sensibility.  Indeed,  during  the  whole  period  of  Dr.  Bedell's 
ministry  in  Philadelphia,  '  the  word  of  the  Lord'  at  his  mouth 
'  had  free  course  and  was  glorified.'  The  faithful  exhibition 
of  '  Christ  crucified,'  both  as  a  fact  and  a  doctrine,  connected 
with  a  simple  reliance  upon  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  its  application  to  the  conscience,  sought  in  earnest  prayer, 
rendered  his  preaching  eminently  successful  in  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners." 
« 

To  him  Dr.  Bedell  thus  writes  : — 


224  MEMOIR    OF 

"  My  Dear  Friend, — 

"  Your  letter  which  I  received  gives  some  interest- 
ing intelHgence  relating  to  the  Seminary.  I  do  hope  that 
you  may  find  many  who  will  be  disposed  to  bow  the  knee 
in  social  prayer.  The  number  of  our  inquirers  increases, 
and  fourteen  have  been  enabled  to  believe  in  Christ  to  the 
saving  of  their  souls.  I  look  for  many  more.  Our  meetings 
are  all  continued,  and  are  all  deeply  interesting.  Our  clerical 
association  has  been  abundandy  blessed  to  our  own  souls, 
and  I  know  of  four  cases  of  conviction  as  among  the  blessed 
fruits.  I  do  most  sincerely  pray  that  you  may  be  preserved 
from  all  coldness  and  lukewarmness.  I  want  you  to  write 
me  all  about  your  progress,  and  every  thing  that  may  at  all 
concern  you.  This  evening  we  hold  our  usual  concert  of 
prayer.  Few  of  us  will  be  present,  as  several  are  now  in 
Washington.  Ecclesiastical  news  I  have  none.  I  wish 
Church  politics  were  banished  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
God  be  thanked,  religion  flourishes,  and  the  height  of  our 
present  ambition  is,  that  Christ  be  glorified  in  the  conversion 
of  sinners." 

*  *  *  *  "  I  expected  to  have  been  in  New- York,  but  the 
press  of  spiritual  concerns,  and  not  feeling  very  well,  kept 
me  at  home.  I  wTite  this  merely  to  let  you  know  that  you 
may  answer  my  letter,  not  calculating  to  see  my  face  for 
several  weeks  at  all  events.  We  are  all  well,  and  religion 
most  blessedly  prospers." 

*  *  *  *  "  We  calculate  here  on  most  interesting  times. 
The  period  of 'religious  sensibility,'  as  Bishop  White  calls 
it,  with  which  God  in  his  goodness  has  been  pleased  to  visit 
St.  Andrew's  has,  I  think,  eventuated  thus  far  in  the  decided 
conversion  of  above  twenty-five  persons ;  and  I  have  for  the 
last  few  weeks  been  most  pressingly  engaged  in  preparing 
them  and  others  for  the  interesting  rite  of  confirmation. 
There  are  about  fifty  to  be  confirmed  next  Sunday  week. 
On  Friday  evening,  12th  inst.  I  have  about  six  adults  to 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  225 

baptize.  We  open  the  Church  on  the  occasion,  and  Mr. 
Smith*  is  to  preach  an  appropriate  discourse.  On  Christmas 
day,  we  shall  have  at  least  thirty  new  communicants.  Some 
of  them,  who  were  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ  during  our 
season  of  spiritual  refreshing,  were  quite  young,  and  four  of 
them  among  the  most  interesting  females  which  we  have  in 
the  congregation.  You  may  judge  of  my  labours,  when  I 
tell  you  my  usual  weekly  allowance.  Monday  afternoon, 
meet  a  section  of  those  to  be  confirmed,  for  special  private 
conversation.  Another  section  on  Thursday,  and  another 
on  Friday.  Wednesday  afternoon,  a  regular  lecture  to  all 
that  are  to  be  confirmed.  Friday  evening,  my  usual  lecture, 
which  continues  to  be  crowded.  This  is  beside  the  Wed- 
nesday and  Saturday  prayer-meeting,  one  of  which,  at  least, 
I  make  it  a  point  to  attend. 

*  *  *  *  "  You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  the  serious  state 
of  things  still  continues,  though  not  so  decidedly  marked.  The 
last  person  whom  I  have  reason  to  think  has  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  is  an  extremely  interesting  and  very  decided  case. 
*  *  *  *  AH  our  young  professors  hold  on  well,  and  are  much 
in  prayer  and  in  exertion.     The  Lord  blesses  them. 

*  *  *  *  "  As  it  regards  our  more  immediate  religious  con- 
cerns, the  Lord  still  seems  to  bless  us,  though  not  with  such 
marked  exhibitions  of  his  loving  kindness  as  we  have  here- 
tofore had.  There  are,  however,  many  inquiring,  and  some 
very  peculiarly  delightful  manifestations  of  converting  grace 
among  the  young.  The  Bible  class  is  very  largely  attended. 
The  Friday  evening  lectures  so  crowded,  that  very  many 
are  obliged  to  go  away.  On  Sundays  our  attendance  and 
attention  are  delightful," 

*  *  *  *  "  We  go  on  here  pretty  much  after  the  old  sort. 
This  week  there  has  been  one  most  delightful  instance  of 
conversion  in  the  case  of  a  young  officer  of  the  army,  every 

*  The  present  Bishop  of  Kentucky. 


326  MEMOIR    OF 

thing  brought  into  subjection  to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 
Many  of  my  dear  young  children  who  have  lately  taken  hold 
of  religion,  not  only  with  their  heads  and  hands,  but  their  hearts, 
will  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  table  on  Easter  day,  when  I  ex- 
pect an  accession  of  at  least  twenty,  making  an  addition  to 
the  communion  of  the  Church,  in  less  than  one  year,  of 
somewhere  about  eighty,  and  of  these  I  can  say,  of  such,  not 
like  our  ordinary  communicants  who  are  indiscriminately 
admitted  without  conversation  or  examination,  but  of  such  as 
are  able,  experimentally  able,  to  give  an  answer  to  every  one 
that  asketh  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  them." 

The  preceding  letters  were  all  addressed  to  Mr.  H.  while 
a  member  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  city  of  New- York.  They  are  of  different 
dates,  through  an  autumn  and  succeeding  winter,  and  all 
refer  to  the  same  season  of  revival  in  St.  Andrew's  Church. 
To  another  clergyman  he  thus  writes  in  reference  to  the 
same  glorious  and  delightful  season. 

"  My  Dear  Friend,— 

*'  I  have  been  hitherto  so  bad  a  correspondent,  that  I  sup- 
pose you  have  given  me  up  in  despair,  for  it  is  now  a  long 
time  since  I  have  had  a  single  line  from  you.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  I  richly  deserve  all  possible  neglect,  but  still  I 
have  always  been  in  hopes,  that  my  brethren  would  consider 
the  infirmity  of  my  health,  and  the  multiplicity  of  my  engage- 
ments. In  truth,  I  seem  placed  in  a  situation  which  requires 
at  least  a  man  of  far  greater  physical  capabilities,  for  the 
multitude  and  the  variety  of  the  calls  on  my  time  and  atten- 
tion are  almost  inconceivable.  With  all  this,  the  Lord  has 
dealt  very  mercifully  with  me  this  winter,  giving  me,  on  the 
whole,  better  health  than  I  have  enjoyed  for  several  seasons, 
and  sustaining  me  among  labours,  such  as  I  have  never  be- 
fore been  called  upon  to  endure.     I  speak  within  bounds. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  227 

when  I  say,  that  during  the  blessed  season  which  we  have 
had  of  spiritual  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  not 
less  than  eighty,  and  most  of  them  young,  have  been  turned 
from  darkness  unto  light,  and  from  the  power  of  satan  unto 
God.  During  the  whole  process  of  their  spiritual  impres- 
sions, I  have  been  constrained  to  be  with  them,  and  have 
frequently  been  engaged  in  conversation  from  four  to  seven 
hours  a  day.  At  present,  there  are  less  powerful  manifesta- 
tions of  the  Divine  presence,  though  still  I  have  some  every 
week  inquiring,  what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved. 

"  How  much  cause  of  thankfulness  have  we  to  God,  that 
He  should  vouchsafe  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  in  such  copious 
effusions,  and  how  much  do  we  need  the  prayers  of  all  God's 
people,  that  we  may  be  faithful.  I  should  be  delighted  to 
hear,  what  good  things,  if  any,  the  Lord  may  be  doing  among 
you.  You  have  now,  I  expect,  a  large  opportunity  of  use- 
fulness, and  I  trust  strength  of  body  and  disposition  of  heart 
enough  to  induce  you  to  labour  diligently.  May  the  Lord 
prosper  you  abundantly,  and  give  you  many  who  may  be 
your  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Our  young  friend  *  *  *  *  whom  I  long  ago  expected  would 
have  been  in  heaven,  for  which  she  is  most  delightfully  pre- 
paring, is  still  on  earth ;  and  to  me  appears  as  one  having 
risen  from  the  dead,  and  it  is  even  possible  that  she  may 
yet  get  well. 

"  We  heard  some  particulars  of  the  death  of ; 

were  you  with  her  ?  Let  me  have  a  long  letter  soon,  and 
show  that  you  can  extend  kindness  without  a  quid  pro  quo. 
The  Lord  bless  and  prosper  you  ; — my  respects  to  your  good 
mother,  and  believe  me  your  friend  and  brother." 

It  cannot  but  be  interesting  here  to  introduce  also  some 
extracts  from  the  pastoral  address  which  was  made  to  those 
who  were  at  this  time  united  to  God  in  a  public  religious 
profession,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day  on  which  the  larger 
number  of  them  were  confirmed  : — 


228  ^  MEMOIROF 

"  My  dear  friends,  I  must  not  on  this  occasion  forget  to  say, 
what  in  substance  I  have  said  to  you  on  frequent  occasions, 
that  this  act  of  self-dedication  to  God,  is  about  to  involve 
you  in  many  and  formidable  difficulties.  You  are  going  out 
into  the  world  the  professed  disciples  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  you  are  to  be  on  all  hands  surrounded  by  your 
foes.  You  are  going  to  share  in  the  reproach  of  your  Mas- 
ter ;  and  it  is  folly  for  you  to  expect  exemption  from  the 
malice  of  the  adversary.  Your  motives  will  be  impugned, 
your  conduct  watched  ;  you  will  be  ridiculed  if  you  main- 
tain consistency,  and  you  will  be  despised  if  you  are  incon- 
sistent. And  especially,  as  it  regards  the  younger  portion  of 
you,  I  can  tell  you  what  you  ought  to  be  aware  of,  that  the 
devil  will  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  your  worldly  friends  and 
young  companions,  to  use  all  their  efforts  to  draw  you  from 
the  path  of  duty ;  they  will  tempt  you  with  gaieties,  and 
they  will  tempt  you  with  dress,  and  they  will  tempt  you 
with  ridicule,  and  they  will  tempt  you  with  a  thousand 
solicitations,  and  all  under  the  guise  of  love  and  friendship  : 
and  they  will  not  be  aware  of  what  nevertheless  is  the 
solemn  fact,  that  the  very  enemy  of  all  godliness  is  at  the 
bottom  of  all  their  solicitations.  To  every  effort  calculated 
to  draw  you  into  sin,  or  into  worldly  compliance,  you  must 
oppose  the  feeling  and  the  language  of  your  great  exemplar; 
and  whether  made  by  foes  or  miscalled  friends,  declare, '  get 
thee  behind  me,  satan.'  It  is  a  most  melancholy  thought, 
that  there  will  be  those  about  you  so  wicked  as  to  wish  that 
you  may  stumble  and  fall.  Of  this  you  must  be  ever  on 
your  guard  ;  meekly,  yet  firmly,  meet  every  temptation  : 
give  way  once,  and  your  spiritual  ruin  will  be  half  accom- 
plished. I  do  tremble  for  you,  and  were  it  not  that  I  dared 
to  anticipate  happy  results,  I  should  be  filled  with  sorrowful 
forebodings.  Oh !  that  I  may  have  faith,  and  oh,  that  you 
may  have  faith,  in  all  your  trials  and  temptations  to  make 
God  your  hiding  place.     One  holy,  one  sublime  consolation 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  229 

have   you,  my   young  friends,  '  the  eternal   God  is  your 
refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms.' 

*'  I  have  purposely  avoided  entering  fully  into  all  these 
matters  on  the  present  occasion,  not  only  because  it  would 
occupy  a  longer  time  than  could  well  be  spared,  but  because 
I  wish  you  to  consider  that  my  services  are  yours  on  all  oc- 
casions, and  in  all  your  trials.  I  have  watched  with  great 
solicitude  the  progress  of  your  religious  impressions.  I 
have  endeavoured  faithfully,  and  in  the  fear  of  God,  to  give 
you  suitable  instructions — you  are  my  witnesses,  that  I  have 
not  endeavoured,  by  deceitful  emollients,  to  soften  down,  or 
by  any  unjustifiable  expedients,  to  fritter  away  your  great 
responsibilities.  Here,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  this 
great  congregation,  I  solemnly  pledge  myself  to  you,  that  at 
your  desire,  my  counsel,  my  instruction,  my  prayers  are 
yours ;  my  time,  my  abilities,  my  efforts,  all  at  your  com- 
mand. If  such  feeble  services  as  I  can  render,  will  be  ad- 
vantageous, come  to  me  in  all  your  trials  and  difficulties  with 
the  most  unhesitating  confidence  ;  my  sympathies  are  all 
enlisted,  you  need  not  fear  that  you  can  weary.  If  in  the 
merciful  providence  of  God,  I  may  be  considered  by  any  of 
you  in  the  light  of  a  spiritual  father,  I  would  be  considered 
in  the  light  of  a  spiritual  friend.  My  children  in  the  gospel, 
I  may  precede  you,  or  many  of  you  may  precede  me  into 
the  eternal  world,  but  while  we  are  here  together,  I  would 
most  earnestly  desire,  under  the  direction  of  the  '  good  shep- 
herd,' Jesus  Christ,  to  lead  you  '  to  green  pastures,  and 
beside  the  still  waters' — and  I  will  so  do,  '  God  being  my 
helper.'  Then  shall  you  daily  '  renew  your  strength,  you 
shall  mount  on  wings  as  eagles  ;  you  shall  walk  and  not  be 
weary  ;  you  shall  run  and  not  faint' — your  path,  '  like  the 
shining  light,  will  shine  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.' 
Then,  what  greater  happiness  could  there  be  anticipated, 
than  that  you,  and  I,  and  the  children  of  God  in  this  whole 

people,  should  for  ever  '  see  the  King  in  his  beauty,'  together 

u 


230  MEMOIR   OF 

sing  his  everlasting  praises,  and  together  tread  the  goldert 
streets  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  and  drink,  and  that  for  ever, 
of  those  living  streams  M^hich  make  glad  the  eternal  city  of 
our  God. 

*  *  *  *  "Christians,  I  commend  these  young  disciples 
especially  to  the  sacred  benevolence  of  your  prayers.  Bear 
them  on  your  hearts  before  a  throne  of  grace  ;  remember 
them  in  your  private  and  your  social  devotions.  They  have 
this  claim  upon  your  love  ;  and  if  you  are  Christians  indeed, 
this  claim  will  be  answered  with  cheerfulness  and  prompti- 
tude. 

*  Blest  is  the  tie  that  binds 

Your  hearts  in  Christian  love  : 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 

Is  like  to  that  above. 

Before  your  Father's  throne 

You  pour  united  prayers  ; 
Your  fears,  your  hopes,  your  aims  are  one. 

Your  comforts  and  your  c.ares.' 

"  My  friends,  you  who  have  this  day  dedicated  yourselves^ 
to  God,  remember  and  take  encouragement  from  the  fact,  that 
I  have  now  secured  to  you  the  prayers  of  your  fellow 
Christians,  the  people  of  God  in  this  congregation.  On  this 
you  may  safely  calculate,  and  as  God  is  a  prayer-hearing, 
and  a  prayer-answering  God,  you  may  anticipate  the  bless^ 
ing.  Return  it  from  your  inmost  souls,  and  let  your  united 
supplications  go  up  as  the  fragrant  incense. 

"  To  that  portion  of  you,  my  dear  friends  and  people, 
who,  even  in  your  own  judgment,  are  not  yet  numbered 
with  the  decided,  and  purposed  servants  and  children  of  the 
Lord,  I  would  in  affection  and  faithfulness  embrace  the  op- 
portunity of  a  word  in  season.  Many  of  those  who  but 
lately  ranked  with  you,  have  this  day  'joined  themselves  to 
the  Lord,  in  the  bonds  of  a  covenant,'  which  I  trust  will 
never   be   forgotten.     They  have  testified    that  they  have 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  23l 

chosen  the  Lord  as  their  everlasting  portion ;  but  their  ex- 
ample, I  fear,  like  the  continual  warnings  of  your  preacher, 
will  be  disregarded  ;  and  the  same  unhesitating  refusal  be 
given  to  the  calls  and  offers  of  the  gospel.  If  you  knew, 
my  friends,  but  what  you  lost — if  you  knew  how  tremen- 
dous the  consequences  in  which  your  neglect  involves  you  ; 
if  you  knew  what  an  accumulation  of  transgression  the 
despising  of  the  commands  of  God  lays  upon  your  souls, 
already  laden  with  the  guilt  of  multiplied  acts  of  diso- 
bedience, surely — surely,  you  would  pause.  But  what  mor- 
tal language  can  tell  the  immensity  of  your  loss  ?  That  loss 
involves  the  present  favour  of  your  God,  and  his  future  ap- 
probation. Who  can  depict  the  consequences  of  your 
neglect?  Who  can  describe  the  accumulations  of  your 
guilt?  Oh  how  various,  oh  how  almost  infinite  the  cata- 
logue! You  have  rejected  the  most  urgent  calls,  and  the 
most  affectionate  entreaties.  Tiie  promises  of  God  have 
been  unheeded  ;  the  threats  of  God  have  been  braved ;  the 
hopes  of  heaven  have  been  put  aside ;  the  fears  of  hell  have 
been  disregarded ;  the  Spirit  of  grace  has  been  resisted,  and 
the  blood  of  a  Saviour  trampled  under  foot ;  with  aslittle 
ceremony  as  the  '  straw  which  is  trodden  for  the  dunghill.' 
•  When  God  riseth  up,  what  will  you  say ;  and  when  God 
visiteth,  what  will  you  answer  him  ?' 

"  This  little  band,*  who  have  this  day  dedicated  and  de- 
voted themselves  to  God,  furnish  you  with  an  example. 
Follow  them  in  so  far  as  they  have  followed  Christ.  You 
and  they  are  shortly  going  to  stand  before  the  tribunal  of  the 
great  Judge  of  quick  and  dead  ;  then  will  the  transactions 
of  this  solemn  day  be  remembered  by  them  and  by  you. 
Then  will  be  called  up,  in  solemn  review,  all  your  blessings, 
all  your  privileges,  all  your  opportunities.  Had  these  dis- 
ciples better  opportunities  than  you  ?     Have  you  not  heard 

*  Fifty-eight  were  confirmed. 


232  MEMOIR   OF 

the  same  gospel  ?  For  your  souls  did  not  the  same  Saviour 
shed  his  precious  blood  ?  Why  then  are  you  yet  at  a  dis- 
tance ?  Why  should  you  be  separated  from  them  on  earth, 
separated  at  the  judgment,  separated  in  eternity?  I  have 
done.     To  the  God  of  grace  I  commend  you  all." 

In  a  subsequent  year,  after  Mr.  H.  had  finished  his  theolo- 
gical preparation,  and  was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  the  Church 
which  he  still  occupies,  Dr.  Bedell  wrote  to  him  in  regard  to 
another  very  extensive  and  important  season  of  spiritual 
increase  among  his  people. 

"My  Dear  Friend, — 

"  I  suppose  you  begin  to  feel  what  it  is  to  encounter  the 
difficulties  of  parochial  engagements,  such  as  absolutely  eat 
up  time  by  the  roots,  and  leave  no  room  for  other  engage- 
ments than  those  strictly  connected  with  duty.  As  to  myself, 
I  am  at  this  time  almost  overwhelmed.  We  have  a  very 
great  degree  of  excitement  on  the  subject  of  religion,  or 
rather  I  should  not  say  excitement,  for  there  is  not  one 
solitary  particular  which  can  in  any  way  be  construed  into 
extravagance,  such  as  excitement  merely  might  produce. 
Nothing  would  be  remarked  by  an  ordinary  observer. 
Every  thing  goes  on  just  as  usual,  but  beneath  the  whole 
there  appears  to  be  a  very  powerful  under-current.  Within 
the  last  three  weeks  our  different  meetings  have  been  most 
remarkably  attended.  Sundays,  always  full.  Friday  even- 
ings, the  body  of  the  Church  well  filled.  Prayer-meetings 
large  and  solemn.  Since  this  state  of  things  commenced, 
I  have  had  more  than  twenty  with  me,  inquiring  what  they 
shall  do  to  be  saved  ?  Of  these  I  have  good  reason  to  think 
that  fourteen  have  passed  from  death  unto  life.  There  are 
more  whose  minds  are  deeply  impressed,  but  they  have  not 
yet  broken  through  the  snares  of  satan,  so  far  as  to  come 
and  see  me  on  the  subject. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  233 

*'  My  health  is  not  good  ;  but  still,  the  Lord  be  praised,  I 
am  able  to  get  through  the  work.  In  order  to  do  this,  I 
lake  a  vast  deal  of  bodily  exercise.  I  get  up  at  six  o'clock, 
and  spend  one  hour  at  the  gymnasium,  which  I  find  is  doing 
me  immense  benefit.  I  think  that  clergymen  ought  to  make 
it  a  point,  especially  in  cities,  to  take  this  exercise.  It  gives 
great  muscular  activity  and  strength,  and  expands  the  chest. 

*  *  *  *  "The  most  interesting  matter  is,  that  there  seems 
to  be  a  very  considerable  attention  to  the  concerns  of  re- 
ligion. I  have  now  forty-three  candidates  for  confirmation, 
and  my  last  was  only  ten  months  ago,  when  I  had  upwards 
of  forty.  There  are  some  exceedingly  interesting  cases  of 
conversion,  and  those  among  males,  of  which  there  are 
seven  recent  cases,  three  of  them  heads  of  families." 

In  connexion  with  these  extracts,  and  the  view  which 
they  give  of  the  devotion  of  Dr.  Bedell  to  the  advancement 
of  spiritual  piety  among  the  congregation  committed  to  him, 
it  may  be  proper  to  refer  to  the  unceasing  and  peculiar  atten- 
tion to  regularity  and  propriety  in  all  religious  services  by 
which  he  was  distinguished.  Amidst  the  deepest  interest 
among  his  people  in  the  great  concerns  of  religion,  when 
upon  one  occasion  duiing  a  few  months,  there  were  more 
than  two  hundred  persons  coming  to  inquire  of  him  the  way 
of  salvation,  and  every  meeting  for  religious  services  was  in- 
tensely crowded,  anxious  and  solemn,  there  was  never  the 
remotest  appearance  of  extravagance  or  undue  excitement. 
Silent  and  deep  solemnity  marked  all  the  services  in  which 
he  was  engaged,  and  under  his  influence  pervaded  the  audi- 
ence by  whom  he  was  surrounded.  He  was  particularly 
careful  of  the  order  of  public  services,  and  found  in  the  stated 
worship  of  the  Church  an  entire  and  unvarying  harmony  with 
his  own  state  of  mind.  He  was  always  very  desirous  to  see 
the  congregation  engaged  in  performing  their  portion  of  the 

duties  of  public  worship,  and  preached  some  interesting  ser- 

u  2 


234  MEMOIROF 

mons  to  them  upon  the  subject,  urging  the  duty  of  united 
and  audible  responses  in  the  service.  Often  when  he  ob- 
served any  individuals  inattentive  to  the  devotional  services 
of  the  sanctuary,  he  would  present  them  with  a  Prayer-book 
in  private,  as  a  donation  from  himself,  administering  thus, 
a  silent  reproof,  which  he  hoped  their  consciences  would 
apply.  In  this  way  he  became  in  a  most  unobtrusive  man- 
ner permanently  useful.  He  was  exceedingly  interested  in 
the  circulation  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  often  saying 
that  he  considered  it "  the  very  best  tract  for  distribution  which 
was  in  the  hands  of  man,  and  claiming,  next  to  the  Bible, 
our  efforts  for  its  circulation."  In  the  ministry  of  no  Epis- 
copal clergyman  could  there  be  more  habitual  and  uniform 
regard,  to  a  walking  in  the  "  old  paths"  of  primitive  order  and 
primitive  effort,  to  the  avoidance  of  every  measure  or  step, 
which  any  one  could  with  propriety  consider  unauthorized 
or  disorganizing ;  or  to  th^  calm  and  steady,  but  animated 
and  devoted  guidance  of  souls  to  Christ,  through  the  ordi- 
nances which  he  has  appointed  in  his  Church.  His  whole 
ministry,  though  so  powerful,  and  so  successful,  was  like 
his  whole  mind  and  character,  singularly  free  from  all  ex- 
travagances ;  and  ever  moderate  and  unassuming,  while  it  was 
influential  and  effective.  In  this  respect  he  was  a  beauti- 
ful example  of  ministerial  fidelity  and  character,  never  sacri- 
ficing truth  for  order,  nor  order  for  effect ;  but  steady,  uniform, 
and  permanent  in  the  pursuit  of  his  great  object,  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  in  the  way  which  the  Scriptures  had  laid  open, 
and  in  which  the  most  useful  and  experienced  guides  in  the 
Church  had  passed  before  him;  giving  "faithful  diligence 
always  so  to  minister  the  doctrine  and  sacraments,  and  the 
discipline  of  Christ,  as  the  Lord  hath  commanded,  and  as 
the  Church  hath  received  the  same,  according  to  the  com- 
mandments of  God."*     This  habitual  regularity,  while  per- 

*  Ordination  OfRce  for  Priests. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  235 

haps  it  excluded  some  of  the  valuable  effect  which  might  be 
produced  by  the  power  of  sympathy  upon  the  minds  of 
others,  tended,  in  a  very  important  degree,  to  confirm  and 
establish  those  who  were  led  to  a  Christian  profession  in  the 
obligations  which  they  had  assumed,  and  may  be  considered 
as  one  reason  why  there  were  so  few  among  the  numbers 
brought  to  Christ  under  his  ministry,  who  were  led  by 
temptation  to  go  away  and  walk  with  him  no  more.  All 
had  time  and  opportunity  to  act  with  wisdom  and  delibera- 
tion. All  were  calmly  and  assiduously  instructed  in  the 
truth ;  and  none  were  ever  hurried  in  antecedence  of  their 
own  convictions  and  desires. 

There  has  not  a  more  valuable  or  remarkable  change 
taken  place  in  the  circumstances  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
in  the  progress  through  which  it  has  lately  passed,  than 
that  which  has  resulted  in  the  full  and  universal  restoration 
of  confidence  to  the  class  of  clergymen  to  which  Dr.  Bedell 
belonged,  as  sincerely  and  thoroughly  attached  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Church.  There  was  a  time,  when  the  minis- 
ter who  encouraged  and  maintained  prayer-meetings  in  his 
congregation,  and  who  avowed  himself  a  friend  of  revivals  of 
religion,  and  united  in  promoting  common  plans  of  religious 
benevolence  with  Christians  of  other  denominations,  was  con- 
sidered by  a  portion  of  the  Episcopal  community,  as  litde 
better  than  an  enemy  in  disguise.  We  have  lived  to  see, 
however,  a  most  blessed  change  in  this  respect.  Such  men 
are  no  longer  stigmatized  as  "  low  churchmen,"  as  "  not 
true  Episcopalians."  Their  full  and  cordial  attachment  to 
the  principles  of  the  Church  has  been  realized  and  acknow- 
ledged. Several  of  them  have  been  elevated  to  stations,  where 
even  those  who  once  most  opposed  them,  admire  their  cha- 
racters and  worth.  They  are  found  to  be,  what  they  always 
were,  and  by  their  friends  were  known  to  be,  in  heart  and 
principle,  deeply  and  irrevocably  attached  to  the  Church  in 
which  they  ministered,  though  unwilling  to  carry  out  the 


236  MEMOIR    OF 

exclusive  views  and  feelings,  which  others  of  their  brethren 
felt  obliged  to  adopt.  This  unfavourable  impression  in  refer- 
ence to  them  arose  entirely  from  the  want  of  accurate  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  those  of  whom  it  was  entertained  ;  and  the 
removal  of  it,  is  one  effect  of  the  free  and  harmonious  inter- 
change of  opinion  and  intercourse,  which  has  marked  the 
Church  within  the  few  years  past.  Now  the  Eastern  Diocese, 
Virginia,  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  are  not  supposed  to  be  guided 
by  less  decided  and  honest  Church  principles,  than  New- York, 
New-Jersey,  or  North  Carolina; — though  the  same  views  of 
truth,  and  the  same  habits  of  ministry,  and  the  same  judgment 
of  what  is  expedient  and  right,  still  characterize  their  spiritual 
leaders,  which  distinguished  them  in  former  years.  For  this 
result,  we  cannot  sufficiently  adore  and  bless  the  Lord  of  all. 
We  have  now  no  obstacles,  but  what  are  common  to  men; 
and  fewer  indeed,  than  are  common,  in  proclaiming  the  truth, 
and  extending  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  of  our  Saviour  Christ. 
Mutual  confidence,  and  a  happy,  cordial  encouragement  and 
co-operation,  seem  to  prevail  in  our  Zion,  far  beyond,  what 
in  days  of  conflict  and  distrust,  could  ever  have  been  expect- 
ed. This  spirit  will  make  the  work  of  God  to  prosper  with 
us,  and  set  up  the  Church  in  which  we  minister,  as  a  name 
and  a  praise  in  the  whole  earth. 


REV,    DR.    BEDELL.  837 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SUSnAT  SCHOOLS BIBLE  CLASSES BENEVOLES^T  EXERTIONS AGEN- 
CIES  FOR  AMEHICAX  SUNBAT-SCHOOL  tTNION AJIERICAN  BIBLE  SO- 

CIETr CANBIDATES  FOB  THE  MISTISTRT BRISTOL  COLLEGE. 

After  the  important  and  interesting  views  which  have  been 
given  of  his  character  and  duties  as  a  pastor,  it  will  now  be  de- 
sirable to  exhibit  his  very  successful  efforts  in  the  instruction 
and  care  of  the  younger  portion  of  his  congregation,  as  display- 
ed in  the  operation  of  the  Sunday  schools  connected  with  his 
Church  ;  in  the  preparation  and  publication  of  useful  reli- 
gious books  for  their  use ;  and  in  his  own  immediate  care 
and  instruction  of  the  Bible  classes  which  were  formed  for 
regular  meetings  with  himself.  This  feature  presents  a  mark- 
ed peculiarity  in  his  ministry,  for  which  he  was  extensively 
known,  and  as  extensively  esteemed.  Perhaps  no  clergy- 
man in  the  United  States,  of  any  denomination,  has  paid 
more  attention  to  the  establishment  and  instruction  of  Sunday 
schools,  or  been  more  successful  in  sustaining  and  keeping 
up  their  usefulness  and  efficiency.  The  numerous  Sunday 
schools  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  have  been  at  once  the  mo- 
nument of  the  divine  blessing  and  of  his  successful  assiduity, 
and  the  model  and  beacon  for  effort  and  encouragement  to 
many  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  of  the  Church.  This 
interesting  subject  cannot  be  better  introduced,  than  by  an 
extract  from  his  sermon  preached  on  the  tenth  anniversary  of 
St.  Andrew's  Church. 


238  MEMOIR   OF 

"Within  the  last  twenty-five  years,  an  entirely  new  class 
of  causes  have  been  brought  into  operation,  upon  which  the 
prosperity  of  churches  is  made  very  materially  to  depend. 
Among  those  causes,  there  is  none  so  prominent  as  that 
which  may  be  called  the  Sunday-school  enterprise.  How- 
ever it  may  have  come  to  pass,  it  is  nevertheless  certain, 
that  with  the  success  of  the  Sunday-school  operations  of  a 
Church,  its  spiritual  welfare  is  indissolubly  connected.  This 
is  a  matter  of  experience  which  is  paramount  to  all  theories. 
In  relation  to  this  matter  the  hand  of  God  is  strikingly  appa- 
rent, and  your  minister  can  safely  say,  that  as  he  states  to 
you  the  brief  history  of  our  Sunday  schools,  he  may  remark 
that  it  all  seems  necessarily  to  be  traced  to  the  hand  of  God. 
He  is  not  conscious  of  any  extraordinary  effort  on  his  part, 
except  that  of  falling  in  most  cordially  with  the  evident  lead- 
ings of  the  providence  of  God,  When  our  Sunday  schools 
met  in  September  of  1823,  the  vestry-room  was  amply  large 
enough  to  contain  all  the  teachers  and  scholars  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organization.  Gradually  the  cause  went  on,  till  in 
January  1833,  the  whole  consisted  of  seventy-Jive  teachers, 
and  within  four  of  eleven  hundred  scholars.  In  the  schools 
immediately  connected  with  our  Church,  there  are  now 
seventy -five  teachers  employed;  but  this  would  give  an  un- 
fair statement,  for  from  a  school  in  the  Commissioners'  Hall 
in  Southwark,  to  the  House  of  Refuge,*  our  teachers  are  to 
be  found  scattered  in  various  directions,  so  that  not  less  than 
ninety  actually  belonging  to  this  Church  are  thus  actively 
employed.  It  is  not  my  business,  in  this  discourse,  to  tell 
the  wonders  which  have  been  achieved  by  the  Sunday-school 
enterprise.  Sufiice  it  to  say,  it  has  been  the  instrumental 
cause  of  more  conversions  than  could  be  here  enumerated  ;  it 
has  changed  the  face  of  society  among  those  poor  who  have 
been  willing  to  come  under  its  influence ;  it  has  introduced 

*  Extreme  points  of  the  city  and  suburbs  of  Philadelphia. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  239 

cleanliness  and  neatness,  where  before  there  was  nothing  but 
dirt  and  rags  and  the  most  squalid  wretchedness  ;  it  has  car- 
ried the  saving  influence  of  the  gospel  where  there  was 
nothing  but  ignorance  and  spiritual  death  ;  it  has  carried  the 
consolations  of  the  gospel  where  there  was  almost  hitherto 
unpitied  wretchedness  ;  and  it  has  transformed  the  rising 
generation  of  our  streets  and  alleys,  nearly  ready  to  become 
a  blight  and  a  curse,  into  a  healthy  population  and  a  blessing. 
In  another  part  of  this  discourse  I  mean  to  say  more  upon 
the  subject,  but  now  I  only  remark,  that,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  not  less  than  seventy-five  teachers  who  are,  or  have 
been,  connected  with  this  Church,  have  traced  their  first  se- 
rious impressions,  either  directly  or  remotely,  to  the  Sunday 
schools;  and  during  the  ten  years  of  the  existence  of  our 
schools,  there  have  not  been  less  than  five  thousand  children 
or  adults  under  the  influence  of  Sunday-school  instruction, 
as  connected  with  this  Church.  The  great  day  of  eternal 
account  can  alone  reveal  the  amount  of  spiritual  good  pro- 
duced, for  you  are  aware  that  seed  sown,  before  its  fruit  ap- 
pears, may  long  lie  apparently  corrupted ;  but  it  brings  forth 
first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear. 
We  have  seen  enough  of  the  blade,  the  ear,  and  even  the 
full  corn  in  the  ear,  to  give  our  hearts  the  most  abundant  con- 
solation ;  but,  after  all,  the  half,  the  tenth,  the  hundredth  is 
not  probably  discovered :  for  we  believe  the  declaration, — 
'  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters,  and  thou  shalt  find  it  again 
after  many  days ;  give  a  portion  to  six,  and  also  to  seven,  for 
thou  knowest  not  which  shall  prosper.' 


?    55 


Though  in  this  extract  Dr.  Bedell,  with  his  characteristic 
humility,  disclaims  all  other  connexion  with  this  most  suc- 
cessful eflfort,  than  a  cordial  falling  in  with  the  apparent  de- 
signs of  providence,  it  must  be  said  of  him,  that  his  atten- 
tion to  the  whole  operation  of  this  department  of  his  pasto- 
ral connexion,  and  the  amount  of  personal  labour  which  he 


240  MEMOIR   OF 

devoted  to  its  prosperity  and  greater  usefulness,  were,  within 
the  limits  of  my  knowledge,  unprecedented  and  unequalled. 
He  considered  Sunday  schools  of  the  utmost  importance  in 
the  Church,  and  thought  no  labour  wasted  which  was  devoted 
to  their  interests.     He  visited  the  schools  regularly  in  their 
order,  frequently  addressing  himself  to  the  children,  to  which 
duty  he  was  particularly  adapted,  and  thus  made  himself  fa- 
miliar with  the  actual  character  nnd  circumstances  of  them 
all.     He  established  monthly  meetings  for  the  teachers,  for 
the   purpose   of  considering  and   devising  methods  of  con- 
ducting the  schools,  and  for  instruction  upon  all  subjects  con- 
nected  with   them  upon  which  they   needed   information. 
When  his  own  health  became  too  infirm  to  allow  him  to 
attend  these  meetings  abroad,  he  removed  them  to  his  own 
house,  where  they  formed  one  of  the  most  delightful  and 
valued  occasions,  both. to  himself  and  them,  on  which  he 
was  personally  associated  wdth  the  people  of  his  charge. 
These  meetings  were  systematized  like  all  his  other  plans, 
and  arranged  in  a  way  best  adapted  to  interest  and  profit  those 
who  had  assembled.     They  commenced  about  seven  o'clock 
and  closed  at  half  past  nine,  in  the  evening.     The  first  hour 
was  devoted  to  familiar  religious  conversation,  in  which  he 
made  it  a  duty  to  speak  to  every  one  in  the  room,  although 
sometimes  there  were  seventy  or  eighty  present.     Kind  and 
interesting  expressions,  especially  in  relation  to  the  different 
concerns  of  the  schools,  were  addressed  to  each,  as  circum- 
stances seemed  to  require.     In  the  next  half  hour,  a  portion 
of  the  history  of  the  schools  was  read  by  himself.     The  last 
hour  was  devoted  to  prayer  and  praise.     The  singing  was 
accompanied  by  the  sweet  music  of  his  organ,  of  which  he 
had  a  remarkable  control,  and  the  notes  of  which  were  pour- 
ed out  in  a  rich  and  overwhelming  harmony, — or  breathed  in 
a  soft  and  touching  melody,  as  these  alternately  expressed 
the  feelings  of  his  own  soul.     These  meetings  were  found 
exceedingly  valuable  and  delightful ;  they  cemented  the  bond 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  241 

of  Christian  love  among  the  teachers ;  brought  them,  though 
in  different  circumstances  of  Ufe,  into  personal  acquaintance 
with  each  other,  and  enabled  those  who  were  better  informed, 
and  whose  advantages  had  been  the  greater,  to  be  useful  in 
the  encouragement  and  assistance  of  others  with  less  privi- 
leges, engaged  in  the  same  interesti  ng  duty.  He  prepared 
questions  calculated  to  bring  the  duties  of  the  teachers  and 
superintendents  more  habitually  before  their  minds,  which 
he  had  printed  and  distributed  among  them,  to  be  answered 
and  returned  to  him,  as  a  monthly  report  of  the  state  of  the 
schools.  These  questions  had  the  effect  of  keeping  the  at- 
tention of  the  teachers  constantly  drawn  to  the  duty  in  which 
they  were  engaged. 

Once  in  each  year  he  assembled  all  the  schools  in  the 
Church  for  their  anniversary  meeting,  when  he  addressed 
them  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation.  Could  I  select  a 
single  occasion  of  his  life  in  which  the  whole  sweetness  of 
his  character,  and  excellence  of  his  ministry,  and  affection  of 
his  people  for  himself,  seemed  to  be  more  completely  deve- 
loped than  upon  any  other,  it  would  be  this  annual  meeting  of 
the  Sunday  schools.  His  simple  style  of  address  made  him 
intelligible  to  the  very  youngest  child  before  him,  and  while 
amidst  the  thousand  children  who  were  assembled  in  the 
Church,  silence,  and  deep  interest  in  his  discourse,  every 
where  prevailed,  the  congregation  never  failed  to  gain  from 
this  occasion,  a  new  and  more  lively  interest  in  this  favourite 
department  of  Christian  effort.  The  services  of  a  single  an- 
niversary, which  I  have  selected  from  the  history  of  the 
schools,  may  be  related  as  an  index  and  example  of  his  sys- 
tem of  operation  in  this  department  of  his  ministry,  and  of 
the  harmonious  order  and  the  great  effect  Avith  which  he 
arranged  all  the  public  services  in  which  he  was  engaged. 
A  selection  of  the  adult  members  of  the  coloured  schools, 
occupied  the  organ  gallery  opposite  the  pulpit,  and  the 
younger  members  of  the  same  schools,  the  children's  galle- 

X 


242  MEMOIROF 

ries  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  organ.  The  scholars  of  the 
male  white  schools  occupied  the  pews  on  the  north  side  of 
the  middle  aisle  of  the  Church,  and  also  benches  placed  in  the 
aisle  ;  and  the  scholars  of  the  female  white  schools  the  pews 
on  the  south  side  of  the  middle  aisle.  The  male  infant 
scholars  took  the  steps  of  the  chancel,  and  the  female  infant 
scholars  the  benches  in  front  of  the  pews.  All  the  other 
parts  of  the  Church  were  completely  filled  by  the  congre- 
gation. The  exercises  were  commenced  by  an  anthem  sung 
with  great  feeling  and  correctness  by  the  younger  scholars 
of  the  coloured  school.  After  this,  the  infant  boys  in  the 
chancel  went  through  with  some  of  their  exercises,  and  con- 
cluded by  singing  a  hymn.  All  the  schools  then  united  in 
singing  a  hymn  prepared  for  the  occasion.  After  they  had 
joined  in  a  selection  from  the  prayers  of  the  Church,  and 
then  in  another  hymn.  Dr.  Bedell  addressed  them  in  a  most 
interesting  and  touching  manner,  upon  the  parable  of  the 
prodigal  son.  He  asked  numerous  questions  connected  with 
the  subject  of  his  discourse,  which  were  answered  with  re- 
markable promptitude  and  accuracy.  It  would  seem  impos- 
sible for  any  one  to  doubt,  at  least,  the  intellectual  advantage 
of  Sunday-school  instruction,  after  witnessing  an  exhibition 
of  this  kind,  where  children,  without  any  previous  know- 
ledge of  the  questions  which  were  to  be  put  to  them,  were 
enabled  to  answer  with  entire  propriety,  simply  by  bringing 
their  previous  instruction  to  bear  upon  the  particular  subject 
thus  proposed  to  them. 

The  annual  collection  for  the  schools,  which  was  generally 
taken  up  on  the  Sunday  after  their  anniversary  meeting,  and 
which  increased  in  amount  in  every  succeeding  year  to  the 
close  of  his  hfe,  always  exhibited  the  interest  which  the 
congregation  felt  in  this  effort.  Dr.  Bedell  interested  him- 
self in  preparing  a  full  and  very  minute  history  of  the  schools, 
which  he  read  as  it  progressed,  at  the  quarterly  meetings  of 
the  teachers.     This  occupied  much   of  his  time,  and  it  is 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  243 

to  US  a  subject  of  astonishment,  that  with  his  enfeebled 
health  and  multiplied  duties,  he  could  have  given  to  this 
merely  incidental  object  so  large  a  portion  of  his  attention. 
The  schools  connected  with  this  Church  have  so  much  inte- 
rested the  whole  Christian  community  around,  and  the  sub- 
ject of  Sunday  schools  is  so  interesting  in  the  exhibitions  of 
its  importance  and  influence  for  the  promotion  of  Christianity 
among  men,  and  Dr.  Bedell's  connexion  with  this  enterprise 
formed  so  prominent  a  portion  of  his  ministry,  that  it  will 
not  be  unacceptable  here  to  present  some  extracts  from  the 
history  to  which  we  have  referred,  exhibiting  some  points  in 
the  method  of  operation,  and  some  encouraging  facts  as  the 
result. 

" SEPARATE  SERVICE  FOR  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 

"  Another  subject  which  requires  notice  is,  that  during  the 
present  year,  viz :  1826,  an  entirely  differc  it  plan  was 
adopted  as  it  regards  the  afternoon  arrangements  of  the 
schools.  As  the  schools  had  become  too  large  to  be  well 
accommodated  in  the  galleries,  and  as  in  the  afternoons  the 
situation  was  peculiarly  disagreeable  from  the  heat,  it  was 
proposed,  and  by  the  consent  of  the  rector,  adopted,  that  the 
plan  of  a  children's  church  should  be  tried.  It  is  proper  to 
remark,  that  so  far  as  the  rector  is  concerned,  this  plan  was 
originally  acquiesced  in,  and  is  still  continued  only  on  the 
plea  of  stern  necessity.  And  it  is  proper  that  in  a  history 
which  will  be  seen  by  our  successors,  something  should  be 
said  in  explanation  of  the  whole  matter. 

"The  idea  of  a  children's  church  is  essentially  one  of 
deep  importance,  and  one  which,  if  it  could,  ought  to  be 
adopted  in  every  Church.  But  it  ought  to  be  adopted  under 
circumstances  which  should  secure  the  best  ultimate  advan- 
tage. The  only  plan  of  a  children's  church  which  is  be- 
lieved by  the  writer  to  be  consistent  with  sound  principles, 
both  of  the  gospel  and  the  Church,  is  as  follows  : — 


244  MEMOIR   OF 


(( 


1.  The  children  ought  to  be  assembled  under  the  direct 
impression  that  they  are  no  longer  in  a  Sunday  school,  but 
in  a  place  where  the  special  purpose  is  devotion.  It  appears 
to  me  that  this  desirable  object  cannot  be  attained  unless  the 
place  of  meeting  should  be  a  room  never  used  for  a  Sunday 
school.  The  ideas  of  the  school  and  the  room  are  so  asso- 
ciated, that  they  never  will  be  fully  dissevered,  consequently 
we  can  have  no  hope  of  realizing  the  entire  benefit  of  a  chil- 
dren's church  while  the  worship  is  in  a  room  used  for 
teaching. 

"  2.  It  is  important  that  the  prayers  used  in  the  children's 
church  should  be  similar  in  form  to  those  used  in  the  Church 
to  which  the  school  is  attached.  The  whole  of  the  service 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  cannot  be  considered  as  appropriate 
to  such  an  occasion,  but  a  service  ought  to  be  formed  adapted 
to  the  age  of  the  pupils.  This  is  a  matter  yet  unprovided 
for  by  the  highest  authorities  of  the  Church  ;  and  until  this 
is  done,  I  believe  it  the  duty  of  the  minister  to  take  the  mat- 
ter into  his  hand,  and  to  make  such  arrangements  as  he  may 
deem  most  conducive  to  edification. 

*'3.  The  scholars  Avho  are  over  fifteen  years,  at  least, 
ought  to  be  excluded  from  the  children's  church,  because, 
for  the  most  part,  they  are  able  to  comprehend  the  ordinary 
run  of  pulpit  instruction,  and  are  apt  to  be  restless  and  unruly 
in  the  children's  church. 

"4.  The  children  when  assembled  for  the  children's 
church,  ought  to  be  exclusively  addressed  by  a  regularly 
ordained  minister  of  the  denomination  to  which  the  school 
belongs. 

*'  Upon  the  whole  the  question  occurs  whether  the  idea  of 
a  children's  church  ought  to  be  encouraged  where  these  ad- 
vantages cannot  be  secured.  The  answer  is,  that  it  may  be 
under  circumstances  of  extreme  necessity,  and  to  avoid  evils 
which  may  be  greater.  It  was  under  the  pressure  of  these 
considerations  that  the  idea  of  a  children's  church  was  en* 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  245 

couraged,  not  because  there  were  no  evils  connected  with 
the  arrangement,  but  because  evils  of  greater  magnitude 
might  thereby  be  avoided.  I  have  often  expressed  the  opin- 
ion, and  I  hold  it  fully  to  this  day,  that  if  the  state  of  every 
Christian  Church  was  such,  that  the  children  connected  with 
the  Church  and  others  could  be  faithfully  attended  to,  it  would 
be  better  to  have  no  schools  larger  than  could  be  accommo- 
dated to  attend  with  regularity  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 
But  as  long  as  there  are  not  a  sufficient  number  of  churches 
in  the  city  to  accommodate  half  the  population,  and  of  course 
while  there  must  be  such  a  mass  of  children  without  any 
church  as  an  appropiate  home,  schools  must  be  larger  than 
can  be  accommodated  with  church  room,  and  consequently 
other  means  than  attendance  on  regular  preaching  must  be 
devised  to  give  them  something  like  the  religious  advantages 
of  public  worship. 

"  FIRST  INFANT  SCHOOL. 

"  One  circumstance  comes  into  the  history  of  the  year 
1827,  which  will  always  be  considered  as  not  only  forming 
an  era  in  the  history  of  our  own  schools,  but  an  era  in  the 
general  history  of  Sunday  schools.  We  allude  to  the  esta- 
blishment of  the  Infant  school,  the  first  meeting  of  which 
was  on  the  20th  of  September  of  the  year.  We  think  that 
the  members  of  Berean  society  will  enjoy  the  high  satisfac- 
tion of  having  established  the  first  Infant  Sunday  school 
known  in  the  United  States,  and,  as  far  as  we  are  apprized, 
in  the  world.  Its  organization  was  of  course  at  first  imper- 
fect, as  it  was  composed  of  those  boys  from  the  Sunday 
schools  who  were  unable  to  read,  without  any  very  special 
reference  to  their  age.  The  number  composing  this  school 
at  the  outset  was  forty,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Asheton  Clax- 
ton,  under  whose  charge  the  school  remained  for  some  years. 
This  school  grew  rapidly  in  the  public  favour,  and  on  the 

x2 


246  MEMOIR   OF 

closing  Sunday  in  the  year,  the  number  of  scholars  amounted 
to  eighty-four  in  attendance. 

"  IMPORTANCE  OF  VISITING  BY  TEACHERS. 

"  The  grand  reason  which  will  always  serve  to  account 
for  any  depression   in  any   branch  of  our  schools,  is  the 
failure   of  teachers  in  the  duty  of  visitation.     I  am   fully 
persuaded  that   without   this,    in  a  very   large    extent,   no 
scheme  can  succeed.     In  respect  of  visiting,  the  great  de- 
ficiency has  been  found  among  the  male  teachers.     With  the 
exception   of  seven  or  eight,  all  the  female  teachers  from 
whom  I   have  received  reports,  appear  to  have  discharged 
this  duty  faithfully.     I  am  aware  that  there  are  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  the  male  teachers  in  this  business  which  do 
not  apply  to  the  females  in  the  same  degree  ;  for  while  the 
female  teachers  have  not  generally  the  control  of  the  house- 
hold occupations,  being  for  the  most  part  younger  members 
of  their  respective  families,  the  male  teachers  are  generally 
engaged   in  those  active  duties  of  business  which  involve 
their    personal    responsibility.     The    claims   of    business, 
therefore,  interfere  with  this  duty  of  visiting,  and  it  is  most 
wofully  neglected.     As  a  remedy  for  the  evil,  it  has  been 
supposed  that  the  employment  of  a  Sunday-school  mission- 
ary might  be  beneficial;  but  valuable  as  the  services  of  a 
Sunday-school  missionary  may  be,  they  cannot,  by  any  kind 
of  possibility,  make  up  the  deficiency  of  the  teachers'  visits. 
One  grand  object  of  a  teacher  in  his  visits  to  the  children  of 
his  peculiar  charge,  is  to  awaken  an  interest,  and  to  kindle 
and  keep  warm  the  attachment  of  those  children  to  himself; 
and  this  can  never  be  done  by  any  kind  of  proxy,  no  matter 
how  valuable.     In  a  matter  where  the  listening  to  instruc- 
tion is  so  entirely  voluntary,  and  depends  so  much  upon  the 
awakened  affections  of  the  scholars,  as  does  the  Sunday- 
school  instruction,  nothing  can  secure  regularity  of  attend- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  247 

ance,  nothing  ensure  attention  to  the  teaching,  nothing  can 
secure  general  good  behaviour  and  respect  to  the  teacher, 
but  the  affections  of  the  child,  won  through  the  medium  of 
friendly  visitation,  because  it  appears,  at  least,  an  indication 
of  interest.     A  minister  of  the  gospel,  whose  face  should 
never  be  seen  except  in  the  pulpit,  might  discharge  his  pul- 
pit duties  with  the  most  singular  acceptation  ;  but  he  would 
inevitably  fail  in  the  object  of  those  duties,  because  there 
would  be  a  want  of  the  touching  sympathies  of  social  in- 
tercourse.    And  so  a  Sunday-school  teacher,  though  he  may 
attend  to  the  duties  of  the  school-room  with  most  singular 
fidelity,  will  inevitably  fail  if  he  does  not  wind  about  him 
what  I  may  call  the  domestic  sympathies  of  the  children.     I 
think  that  some  of  the  difficulties  on  the  subject  of  visiting 
have  originated  in  the  impression  on  the  mind  of  many  a 
teacher,  that  if  he  visits  the  children  of  his  charge,  he  must 
of    necessity   go   in   the    character  of  a  kind  of  preacher. 
This  is,  however,  in  my  estimation,  by  no  means  the  view 
of    the   subject   which   ought  to  be   taken.     The  teacher, 
wherever  he  goes,  ought  most  unquestionably  to  endeavour, 
as  far  as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  may  allow  it,  to  press 
the  concerns  of  religion  upon  the  child  ;  but  the  great  object 
of  the  visits  of  a  teacher  to  his  children,  is  to  gain  their  af- 
fection  and   confidence,  and   thus    pave   the   way   for   an 
influence,  over  their  minds.     If  it  should  so  happen,  that 
even  no  direct  religious  intercourse  could  be  had  at  the  time, 
one  great  object  would  be  gained,  if  he  gathers  around  him 
the  respect  and  affection  of  the  children.     By  every  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel,   many  and   many  a  visit  must   be  made 
which  has  no  direct  object,  except  the  establishment  of  his 
people's  affections  on  himself,  because  he  knows  that  he  may 
expect  a  better  attendance  in  the  house  of  God,  and  a  more 
respectful  and  affectionate  attention  to  the  preached  word  ; 
and  thus  by  means  that  are  indirect,  but  decided,  he  does  his 
Master's  work.     Many  teachers  I  know  mistake,  therefore, 


248  MEMOIR     OF 

one  leading-  design  of  visitation,  and  because  they  may  not 
feel  themselves  qualified  to  undertake  the  work  of  a  mis- 
sionary, they  neglect  their  scholars.  Are  there  any  who  are 
not  competent  to  engage  the  affections  of  the  children  ? 
Can  they  not,  by  calling  on  them,  let  the  children  feel,  and 
the  parents  feel,  that  they  themselves  are  interested  ?  The 
man  who  can  first  make  his  children  love  him,  can  soon  ex- 
ert a  control  over  their  minds,  for  nothing  wins  the  affections 
of  a  child  so  much  as  an  exhibition  of  interest ;  and  the  man 
who  can  make  the  parents  of  the  children  regard  him  with 
respect  and  affection,  can  soon  exert  a  wonderful  influence 
over  them,  for  nothing  wins  the  affections  of  a  parent  so 
readily  as  attention  to  his  children.  Let  every  teacher  then 
perse veringly  visit  the  children  committed  to  his  charge ; 
let  him  embrace  every  opportunity  to  present  to  the  minds 
of  those  he  may  meet,  the  saving  truths  of  the  gospel ;  and 
let  him  do  this  according  to  his  Master's  directions,  endea- 
vouring to  mingle  the  prudence  of  the  serpent  with  the 
tenderness  and  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  ;  but  let  him 
remember,  that  although  he  may  not  find  the  opportunity  of 
religious  intercourse  as  free  as  he  may  have  desired,  he  has 
accomplished  a  most  amazing  sum  of  good,  if  he  has  even 
the  respect  of  the  parents  and  the  affection  of  the  children. 
"  Under  these  circumstances  then,  I  am  fully  persuaded 
that  no  school  can  succeed  as  it  ought,  Avithout  this  per- 
severing and  full  discharge  of  this  duty  ;  and  though  I  am 
disposed  to  make  all  necessary  allowances  for  the  difficulties 
of  the  case,  I  see  no  way  of  making  any  school  prosperous, 
unless  the  teachers,  in  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  will  find  some 
way  of  making  sacrifices  of  time  and  effort,  and  consecrat- 
ing those  sacrifices  to  this  important  and  interesting  duty." 

"  NUMBER  AND  ARRANGEMENT  OF  THE  SCHOOLS,  1832. 

1.  Male  Bible  Class,  1  Teacher,  28  Scholars. 

2.  Male  Sunday  School,  6         "        60      " 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  249 

3.  Male  Infant  School,  1    Teacher,  85  Scholars. 

4.  Female  Bible  Class,  1 

5.  "  "  "  1 

6.  Female  Sunday  School,  20 

7.  **         Infant  School,  1 

8.  "         Coloured  School,  15 

9.  "           do.      Infant  do.       1 
10.  Male  and  Female  Col.  do.  26 


(( 

30   " 

(( 

16   " 

(( 

196   " 

li 

100   " 

a 

200   " 

n 

73   " 

a 

300   '* 

73  1088 

"  BENEFIT  TO  THE  SCHOLARS. 

"  From  the  minutes  of  the  Superintendent  of  the  Male 
and  Female  Coloured  School  in  Seventh  street,  the  following 
interesting  incident  is  extracted.  In  the  Female  Infant 
School  there  are  two  interesting  little  children,  sisters,  one 
of  whom  is  so  small  that  her  parent  is  obliged  to  carry  her 
to  school,  from  which  neither  can  be  induced  to  stay  on  any 
account.  The  mother  says,  '  My  little  girls  have  got  so 
good  since  they  have  been  going  to  Sunday  school,  that  I 
cannot  get  them  to  buy  me  a  penny's  worth  of  milk  on 
Sunday.  They  tell  me,  my  teacher  says  I  must  not  buy 
any  thing  on  Sunday,  for  it  is  the  Lord's-day. 

"  The  only  other  incident  which  I  will  mention  is  one 
which  is  taken  from  the  Report  of  the  Teacher  of  the  Male 
Infant  School.  It  is  one  of  the  most  touching  incidents  of 
the  kind  which  I  have  ever  read.  I  quote  his  language  just 
as  it  stands. 

"  Teachers  of  Infant  Schools  become  acquainted  with 
many  interesting  circumstances  which  serve  to  show  the 
happy  influence  which  early  religious  instruction  has  upon 
the  character  and  conduct  of  children. 

"  On  Sunday,  December  11th,  a  little  girl  came  into  the 
school  room  to  tell  me  that  her  brother  Joseph  was  very  ill, 
that  the  doctors  had  cut  a  large  swelling  from  his  neck,  that 


250  MEMOIR    OF 

he  would  like  much  to  see  his  teacher,  and  often  wept  when 
he  talked  about  it.  '  He  says  too,'  she  remarked  to  me  in 
a  very  artless  manner,  '  that  he  thinks  now  he  has  got  re- 
ligion.' 

"Joseph  H was  above  nine  years  of  age,  and  though 

small  for  his  age,  he  was  quite  old  enough  to  have  been  long 
since  transferred  to  the  Sunday  school,  but  appearing  to  be 
very  fond  of  the  Infant  school,  I  felt  unwilling  to  remove  him 
against  his  inclination.  I  had  missed  Joseph  for  two  Sundays, 
but  this  circumstance  at  so  inclement  a  season,  which,  together 
with  sickness,  has  reduced  the  school  to  about  one  half  its 
usual  number,  I  did  not  consider  remarkable,  especially  as 
he  resided  a  mile  from  the  school.  As  I  went  that  afternoon 
to  his  mother's  dwelling,  I  thought  of  his  quiet  and  orderly 
behaviour.  His  conduct  -was  so  habitually  good,  that  in  the 
past  year  I  do  not  remember  to  have  had  occasion  to  speak 
to  him  for  any  thing  wrong  which  he  had  either  said  or 
done.  When  I  entered  his  room,  he  lay  upon  his  little  bed, 
with  his  face  bound  up,  and  looked  exceedingly  pale.  He 
put  out  his  hand,  and  appeared  much  pleased  to  see  me. 
He  was  a  child  of  but  few  words,  but  the  conversation  I  had 
with  him  was  quite  satisfactory.  While  speaking  to  Joseph 
his  mother  came  in  ;  she  observed  that  she  was  glad  I  had 
called,  as  she  thought  it  must  be  a  great  encouragement  to 
me  to  know  that  some  of  the  little  boys  seemed  to  profit  by 
the  instruction  they  received.  Several  years  ago,  as  Joseph 
was  near  the  fire,  his  clothes  by  accident  caught,  and  having 
an  apron  tied  close  round  his  neck,  the  flames  burnt  his 
throat  in  a  very  distressing  manner.  After  a  long  time  the 
wound  was  healed  in  rather  an  unskilful  manner.  His  mouth 
and  lower  jaw  was  drawn  sideways  and  quite  down  towards 
his  neck,  so  that  he  could  scarcely  close  his  mouth,  and  he 
could  not  raise  his  head  in  an  erect  posture.  As  he  grew, 
it  became  more  inconvenient  to  him,  and  often  painful ;  in- 
deed, it  was  painful  even  to  look  upon  him.     His  mother 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  251 

was  advised  by  skilful  surgeons  to  have  a  portion  of  the 
flesh  removed,  as  the  only  probable  means  of  affording  him 
relief.  His  life,  it  was  believed,  hung  upon  this  fearful  ope- 
ration, which  was  calculated  to  chill  and  appal  the  stoutest 
heart ;  yet  he  manifested  no  particular  fear,  nor  was  it  con- 
ceived necessary  to  administer  an  opiate  to  stupify  him  or  to 
lull  the  pain.  He  told  his  mother  that  he  thought  he  had 
given  his  heart  to  God,  and  now  he  did  not  wish  much  to 
live.  He  thought  it  would  be  better  if  he  should  die  young 
and  go  and  be  with  his  Saviour.  When  the  time  came,  the 
surgeon  was  attended  by  seven  others  to  witness  the  opera- 
tion. It  was  performed  by  separating  a  portion  of  the  flesh 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  jaw,  from  ear  to  ear,  and  the  jaw 
was  restored  to  its  place.  Joseph  afterwards  told  his  mother, 
that  when  the  doctor  first  began  to  cut  him,  he  thought  he 
could  not  bear  it  and  live.  But  then  he  prayed  to  God  that 
he  would  be  pleased  to  help  him  to  bear  it,  and  after  that  he 
did  not  feel  near  so  much  pain.  He  afterwards  prayed  for 
his  mother,  and  for  his  little  sister,  and  for  his  Sunday-school 
teacher,  and  said  that  he  felt  so  happy,  and  that  he  loved 
every  body.  One  who  was  present,  and  had  witnessed 
many  awful  cases  from  the  field  of  battle,  said  that  he  had 
not  seen  one  which  excited  in  his  mind  the  intense  degree 
of  interest  awakened  by  the  patient  suffering  of  this  delicate 
and  feeble  little  boy." 

The  interest  which  Dr.  Bedell  felt  in  the  Sunday  schools, 
induced  him  to  still  larger  undertakings  for  the  promotion  of 
their  full  object.  His  views  upon  the  subject  of  a  separate 
religious  service  for  the  children  on  the  Lord's-day,  have 
been  detailed  in  the  history.  There  could  be  no  accommo- 
dation provided  in  his  Church  for  schools  so  extensive,  and 
the  only  alternative  appeared  to  be  the  arrangement  of  a 
separate  service  for  them  or  the  dismission  of  them  to  the 
streets.     Under  such  circumstances,  he  necessarily  selected 


252 


MEMOIR   OF 


the  latter  course,  and  met  with  valuable  and  useful  help  in 
the  services  of  some  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  who 
cheerfully  engaged  in  the  duty  of  occasional  preaching  to 
the  children,  in  the  lecture-room,  during  the  regular  hours 
of  service.  Dr.  Bedell  began,  but  had  not  opportunity 
to  complete  the  preparation  of  a  proper  liturgy  for  the 
use  of  the  schools.  This  was  designed  for  the  habitual  use 
of  the  schools  in  their  weekly  duties.  To  the  elder  scholars 
he  felt  convinced  of  the  full  adaptation  of  the  regular  service 
of  the  Church,  and  presented  to  each  of  them,  a  Prayer-book, 
on  the  cover  of  which,  he  had  pasted  the  following  card : — 


XT  J, 


LET  IT  BE  KEPT  CAREFULI.Y  AND  NEAT. 


# 


ST.  ANDREW  S  CHURCH 

SUNDAY   SCHOOL. 

PRESENTED  TO 

BY  G.  T.  BEDELL,  Rector. 

"God  seeth  me." 

"  God  docs  not  care  for  what  I  say, 
Unless  I  feel  it  too." 


td 

> 
H 


I* 


^  -j-yvaH  ^aoA  HXi.w  aoiAHHs  :>ih.l  Nior  gnv  ^ 

He  had  also  employed  himself  in  the  preparation  of  a  sim- 
ple explanation  of  the  Church  catechism  for  the  use  of  the 
schools.  The  want  of  this  he  had  long  felt,  perceiving,  as 
all  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  also  have,  the  want  of  adap- 
tation of  the  catechism,  as  it  stands,  to  the  powers  and  com- 
prehension of  the  youthful  mind.  But  this  undertaking  was 
also  left  uncompleted.  He  had  arranged,  and  intended  to 
establish,  a  week-day  school  for  his  Sunday  scholars,  in 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  253 

which,  under  habitual  religious  instruction,  they  should  be 
made  acquainted  also  with  such  occupation  or  trade  as  seem- 
ed best  adapted  to  their  peculiar  individual  character  and 
mind,  and  which  should  enable  them  to  obtain  for  themselves 
a  comfortable  support.  He  had  also  projected  an  Infant  asy- 
lum, for  the  purpose  of  enabling  mothers  among  the  poorer 
classes  of  society,  to  attend  without  anxiety  to  such  occupa- 
tions through  the  day  as  would  enable  them  to  provide  sus- 
tenance for  their  families  ;  hoping  thus  to  bring  under  the 
notice  of  pious  females,  many  families  falling  into  vice  and 
misery,  who,  with  a  little  timely  aid  and  Christian  attention, 
might  be  reclaimed  from  sin,  and  saved  from  suffering  and 
ruin.  In  all  these  facts,  there  is  exhibited  the  operation  of 
that  spirit  of  Christian  love  by  whicli  he  was  constrained, 
which  thought  no  labour  too  great,  and  no  plans  too  multi- 
plied, that  might  have  the  effect  of  relieving  the  ignorance 
and  misery  of  mankind,  and  of  bringing  back  the  world  into 
subjection  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

St.  Andrew's  Church,  although  so  modern  in  its  origin, 
was  erected  at  a  time  when  there  was  but  little  attention  paid 
to  the  subject  of  Sunday  schools.  Accordingly,  although  a 
lecture  room  and  school  rooms  had  been  provided,  the  schools 
connected  with  it  were  so  flourishing,  that  the  accommodations 
which  had  been  prepared  for  them  were  far  too  limited  and  in- 
sufficient. This  difficulty  Dr.  Bedell  felt  most  deeply,  and  was 
anxious  to  have  it  removed,  if  it  were  in  any  way  possible. 
The  large  expenses  of  the  church  seemed  to  render  it  impossi- 
ble that  the  vestry  should  do  it  as  a  corporation,  and  he  hoped  to 
succeed  in  it  among  individual  contributions.  With  this  view 
he  addressed  the  following  most  interesting  communication 
to  the  vestry  upon  the  subject, — a  little  more  than  a  year  be- 
fore his  death.  The  plan,  though  encouraged  by  all,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  own  waning  health,  did  not  succeed  during 
liis  life.     It  is  most  gratifying  to  know  that  under  the  minis- 

Y 


254  MEMOIR   OF 

try  of  his  successor,  a  man  of  like  spirit,  the  object  is  now 
hkely  to  be  fully  attained, — and  the  rooms  so  much  desired 
are  likely  to  be  erected. 

"  TO  THE  VESTRY  OF  ST.  ANDREw's  CHURCH. 

"  Gentlemen,— 

*'  There  is  nothing  which  I  more  ardently  desire,  than  that 
on  all  matters  connected  with  the  well  being  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  there  should  be  between  you,  as  vestrymen,  and 
myself,  as  rector,  the  most  perfect  and  cordial  agreement  of 
opinion,  and  of  action.  Without  this,  the  prosperity  of  the 
Church  will  most  unquestionably  decay,  and  for  that  decay, 
yourselves,  as  the  vestry,  and  myself,  as  the  rector,  will  be 
held  responsible,  both  by  the  congregation,  and  by  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church,  when  we  shall  render  up  our  account  at 
the  day  of  judgment.  Whatever,  therefore,  is  done  by 
either  of  us,  should  be  done  in  reference  to  these  results. 

"  Viewing  the  subject  in  this  light,  and  conscious  that  I 
have  no  object  in  view  but  to  subserve  the  interests  of 
Christ,  in  their  connexion  with  St.  Andrew's  Church,  I  lately 
laid  before  the  vestry  a  proposition,  touching  the  erection  of 
a  suitable  Sunday-school  house  and  lecture-room.  I  did  this 
under  the  most  firm  and  conscientious  impression,  that  on 
the  success  of  the  plan,  would  depend  the  welfare  of  this 
(Jhurch.  I  have  reason  to  know,  that  my  views  are  right  on 
this  subject.  For  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Church,  a 
Sunday-school  house  and  lecture-room  are  indispensable,  and 
I  took  the  liberty  of  stating  to  the  vestry,  that  it  would  be 
out  of  ray  power  to  maintain  our  standing  without  it.  Yet 
as  I  knew  that  such  a  house  as  was  necessary  could  not, 
under  present  circumstances,  be  built  by  the  vestry,  I  offer- 
ed to  take  from  them  all  pecuniary  responsibility,  and  only 
asked  for  a  grant  of  ground.  I  cannot  express  to  the  vestry  my 
deep  regret  to  learn,  that  my  proposition  was  agreed  to  only 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  255 

by  a  majority,  which  causes  a  painful  struggle  in  my  own 
mind,  whether  I  can  accept  the  power  granted  with  such  de- 
monstrations of  reluctance.  If  I  dared  to  consult  my  own  feel- 
ings, I  should  at  once  throw  up  the  matter  in  despair,  but 
when  I  remember  that  I  am  acting  only  as  the  agent  of  One, 
whose  cause  I  am  bound  to  carry  on,  through  evil  and 
through  good,  through  difficulty  as  well  as  ease,  I  must  hold 
the  subject  under  still  longer  advisement.  In  the  meantime, 
I  wish  the  vestry  to  take  into  their  most  serious  considera- 
tion, whether  there  are  not  some  terms  upon  which  they  may 
respond  to  my  wishes  in  this  thing.  I  earnestly  entreat 
them  to  take  into  favourable  consideration  the  following  pro- 
positions, which  I  hope  will  be  passed  with  perfect  unanimity, 
in  the  form  of  resolutions. 

"  1.  That  the  vestry  would  quarterly  appoint  a  committee, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  the  Sunday  schools  at  least 
once  in  every  month,  and  report  ihefact  of  their  so  doing  to 
the  vestry,  with  any  thing  else  they  please. 

*'2.  That  the  vestry  would  appoint  the  wardens  a  com- 
mittee of  advice  with  me,  in  relation  to  the  best  method  of 
accomplishing  the  design  of  erecting  a  suitable  Sunday- 
school  house  and  lecture-room,  making  any  clause  they 
please,  to  show  that  no  pecuniary  responsibility  is  to  come 
on  the  vestry. 

"  I  come  now  to  a  part  of  my  communication  which  has 
cost  me  deep  reflection  ;  and  the  conclusion  to  which  I  have 
reached,  is  one  which  I  believe  the  case  imperatively  de- 
mands. It  is  a  personal  sacrifice,  on  my  part,  to  the  object 
I  so  ardently  desire  to  accomplish.  The  greatest  difficulty 
which  stands  in  my  way  in  relation  to  the  building  proposed, 
is  that  which  arises  out  of  the  permanent  provision  for  the 
gexton.  There  is  but  one  way  to  accomplish  this,  and  to 
that  way  my  mind  is  determinately  settled.  I  hereby  so- 
lemnly and  cheerfully  relinquish  to  the  vestry,  two  hundred 
dollars  per  annunj,  of  my  salary.     This,  during  my  rector- 


256  MEMOIROF 

ship,  will  be  permanent,  and  when  I  rest  from  my  labours 
beneath  the  marble  which  may  be  seen  from  the  windows  of 
the  school  house,  the  vestry  may  offer  to  my  successor 
eighteen  hundred  dollars,  and  the  permanency  of  the  matter 
is  secured. 

"  The  vestry  may  suppose  that  I  have  done  this,  know- 
ing, or  rather  hoping,  that  the  vestry  will  not  receive  the 
sacrifice.  I  am  about  to  give  the  vestry  a  proof  of  my  sin- 
cerity in  the  offer,  which,  after  its  announcement,  none  will 
question.  It  is  this.  Let  the  vestry  take  what  course  they 
please — co-operate  heartily  with  me,  or  refuse  me — neveVy 
from  after  next  December,  will  I  touch  one  farthing  of  the 
money  now  relinquished.  If  it  is  offered  me,  I  will  refuse 
it ;  if  it  is  sent  to  me,  I  Mdll  return  it.  I  solemnly  pledge 
myself  so  to  do  as  a  test  of  my  sincerity  in  the  offer,  and 
my  earnest  desire  to  subserve  the  interest  of  the  Church, 
which  can  only  be  done  through  a  sacrifice  of  the  kind  I 
have  made.  In  no  other  shape  can  the  permanent  provision 
for  the  sexton  be  acquired,  and  I  have  faith  to  believe,  that 
the  God  who  has  led  me  all  my  life  long,  and  by  a  series  of 
peculiar  providences  established  me  as  the  rector  of  this 
Church,  will  never  permit  me  to  want,  for  the  poor  sacrifice 
which  I  make  to  the  welfare  of  this  loved  and  cherished 
Church. 

"  Do  I  ask  more  than  the  vestry,  if  they  regard  my  feel- 
ings and  desires,  should  be  ready  to  grant,  when  all  I  ask  is 
a  hearty,  unanimous  co-operation  in  my  plans  for  good  ? 
"  I  remain,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  Friend, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell,  Rector." 

The  following  resolutions  show  that  the  vestry  were  now 
prepared  to  meet  the  views  which  he  suggested  without  the 
sacrifice  which  had  been  proposed, — a  sacrifice,  which  it  is 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  257 

due  to  them  to  record,  his  successor  has  not  been  required  in 
any  way  to  inherit.  There  is  still  the  same  spirit  of  liberal 
and  united  co-operation  in  every  work  of  good  in  this  Church, 
which  has  distinguished  it  from  the  beginning.  Though  in 
this,  as  in  every  congregation,  it  is  no  cause  for  wonder  that 
there  are  those  still,  who  do  not  feel  the  deep  interest  which 
their  pastor  felt  in  the  promotion  of  this  peculiar  work  of 
religious  benefit  to  others. 

"At  a  stated  meeting  of  the  vestry  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  held  June  4th,  1833,  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted : — 

*'  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
meet  with,  and  act  with  three  appointed  by  the  rector,  so 
that  with  himself  there  would  a  Committee  of  seven,  who 
should  take  in  charge  this  whole  business  of  the  build- 
ing. 

"  Messrs.  Robins,  Keith,  and  Dr.  Mitchell,  were  appoint- 
ed said  Committee. 

^^  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  quar- 
terly, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  the  Sunday  schools  at 
least  once  in  each  month,  and  report  whatever  may  by  them 
be  deemed  worthy  of  notice. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes, 

"  J.  Patterson,  Secretary." 

In  our  description  of  Dr.  Bedell's  pastoral  duties,  a  pro- 
minent position  ought  to  be  given  to  his  interest  in  Bible 
classes.  From  the  commencement  of  his  ministry  in  Phila- 
delphia  to  the  close  of  his  life,  in  addition  to  his  other  ardu- 
ous and  accumulated  duties,  he  attended  every  week  a  female 
Bible  class,  open  to  the  attendance  of  all  who  felt  disposed 
to  pass  with  him  through  a  course  of  Scripture  study.     For 

the  first  few  years  the  subjects  of  study  were  taken  from  the 

Y  2 


258  MEMOIR   OF 

Old  Testament.     In  subsequent  years,  the  Gospels  and  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles  were  studied.     During  the  last  winter 
of  his  ministry  he  had  occupied  the  attention  of  the  class 
with  the  commencement  of  a  course  of  study  upon  the  Pro- 
phecies.    He  had  prepared  a  set  of  questions  for  another 
course  on  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  and  some  preparatory 
lectures  upon  the  same  subject  to  be  delivered  on  the  Friday 
evening  previous   to   the  meeting  of  the  class.     From  the 
accomplishment  of  this  purpose,  however,  he  was  removed 
by  death.     His  Bible  class  was  a  source  of  unvarying  inte- 
rest and  delight  to  those  who  attended  it.     All  gained  very 
important  and  edifying  instruction,  and  many  the  wisdom 
which  is  unto  salvation.     He  hiul  very  peculiar  facility  in 
making  his  expositions  of  the  Scripture  interesting  to  them, 
and  he  spared  no  labour  or  care  to  promote  their  improve- 
ment and  gratification.     Transparencies,  and  maps,  and  other 
methods  of  illustration  for  the  Scripture  subjects  before  them, 
were  all  sought  and  made  to  fulfil  an  important  part  in  giving 
interest  to  the  class  in  the  duty  in  which  they  were  engaged. 
Tli£    members   of  his   Bible  class,  in  consequence,  felt 
bound  to  him  by  a  peculiar  tie  of  gratitude  and  affection. 
The  benefit  which  thev  had  received  from  him  was  inesti- 
mable,  and  they  had  learned  highly  to  value  not  only  that, 

but  also  the  self-denying  and  laborious  eff'ort  with  which  it 

was  communicated. 

The  following  account  of  this  last  winter's  session  of  the 

Bible  class,  from  one  who  had  been  for  several  seasons  a 

member,  cannot  fail  to  interest  the  reader. 

*'  During  the  last  winter  of  his  life,  and  when  his  great 
debility  and  weakness  was  continually  increasing.  Dr.  Bedell 
delivered  a  course  of  Lectures  to  his  Female  Bible  Class,  on 
the  Prophecies.  They  possessed  great  interest,  and  the 
average  number  of  ladies  attending  was  a  hundred  and 
twenty. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  259 

"  His  own  interest  in  this  subject  of  study  was  very  great. 
He  prepared  a  syllabus  of  the  course  of  instruction  he  in- 
tended to  pursue,  which  was  printed  for  the  use  of  the  class. 
The  subjects  of  each  lecture  were  stated  in  order,  with  Scrip- 
ture references,  and  to  these  were  added  questions  on  each 
lesson.     It  was  not  the  intention  of  our  pastor  to  deliver  a 
course  of  lectures  merely,  to  the  class,  but  to  call  upon  each 
individual,  at  every  meeting-,  to  answer  at  least  one  of  the  pre- 
pared questions  on  the  preceding  lesson.     But  finding  the 
necessary  explanations  to  require  a  great  deal  of  time  and 
labour  on  his  part,  and  the  subject  being  quite  new  to  most 
of  the  class,  at  least  in  his  manner  of  treating  it,  and  often, 
from  its  nature,  obscure  and  difficult,  he  relinquished  this 
part  of  his  plan,  though  with  evident  regret.     He  subse- 
quently stated  to  us,  that  he  should  not  be  Milling  ever  again 
to  engage  in  exercises  of  the  same  kind,  without  the  use  of 
questions. 

"  The  basis  of  this  course  of  instruction  was  '  Faber's  Sa- 
cred Calendar  of  Prophecy.'  The  general  theory  of  this 
author  Dr.  Bedell  adopted,  as  the  most  satisfactory  he  had 
ever  met  with,  '  though  constrained  to  hold  different  views 
on  some  of  the  particular  prophecies.'  It  was  his  intention, 
which  he  had  partly  carried  into  execution,  to  prepare  an 
edition  of  this  important  work  for  publication  in  this  country. 
He  did  not  spare  pains  or  exertion  for  the  advantage  of  the 
class  while  pursuing  this  study.  He  caused  to  be  drawn  for 
their  use  a  picture,  the  full  size  of  a  man,  representing  the 
great  metallic  image,  as  described  by  the  prophet  Daniel. 
Different  parts  of  the  picture  were  painted  of  different 
colours,  as  the  head  of  a  gold  colour,  &c. 

"Notwithstanding  his  weakness,  he  never  failed  to  meet 
the  class  through  the  winter,  except  in  very  inclement  wea- 
ther. The  last  meeting  was  held  on  the  30th  of  April.  He 
expressed  his  gratification  that  he  had  been  enabled  to  conti- 
nue the  exercises  of  the  class  so  long ;  and  made  a  single 


260  MEMOIR    OF 

allusion  to  the  probability,  that  in  the  same  relation  we  might 
never  meet  again.  This  was  unusual  with  him,  and  we 
deeply  felt  the  remark,  though  hope  still  taught  us  to  look 
forward  to  future  meetings.  We  were  not  willing  to  believe 
that  this  was,  as  it  proved,  the  very  last." 

Though  the  labours  of  mind  and  body  which  I  have  al- 
ready described,  were  almost  innumerable,  another  important 
part  of  his  efforts  for  the  religious  good,  especially  of  the  ris- 
ing generation,  must  not  be  omitted.     In  the  midst  of  all  his 
varied  and  pressing  parochial  duties,  he  prepared  and  pub- 
lished many  works  of  small  size,  adapted  not  only  to  interest 
the  minds  of  children  in  religious  subjects  and  concerns, — 
but  also  those  in  more  mature  periods  of  life, — and  indeed 
all  whose  attention  could  be  drawn  to  serious  subjects.     Se- 
veral of  these  works  were  prepared  for  the  American  Sunday- 
school  Union,  and  have  been  widely  circulated  through  vari- 
ous libraries  of   Sunday  schools   throughout   the   country. 
Among  these  are  the  lives  of  Moses  and  St.  Paul ;  the  life  of 
Legh  Richmond;  the  story  of  Robert  Benton;  the  history 
of  Tahiti,  in  three  volumes ;  and  the  Teacher's  Assistant, 
originally  pubhshed  weekly  in  the  Sunday-school  Journal. 
Others  of  his   publications  were  for  more  mature  readers. 
These  were  Ezekiel's  Vision,  the  substance  of  several  ser- 
mons  on   the    vision  of  the   valley  of   dry  bones  ; — Way 
Marks,  designed  as  a  guide  to  minds  awakened  to  religious 
inquiries; — Is  it-well? — three  questions  addressed  to  wives 
and  mothers, — "is  it  well  with  thee? — is  it  well  with  thy 
husband  ? — is  it  well  with  the  child?" — The  Religious  Sou- 
venir,  which  was  prepared   by  him  for  three   succeeding 
years ;  and  Bickersteth's  Treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper,  with 
an  introduction  and  notes,  and  an  additional  essay  on  worldly 
amusements.    These  little  books,  not  too  small  for  the  parlour 
table,  nor  too  costly  for  the  poor  man's  shelf,  have  been 
scattered  throughout  the  United  States,  and  some  of  them 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  261 

republished  in  England.  Such  is  the  excellence  of  their 
character,  that  they  cannot  fail  to  be  useful  wherever  they 
go, — and  many  instances  have  come  to  our  knowledge,  in 
which  they  have  been  blessed  of  God  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  manifest  and  important  spiritual  good.  These  pub- 
lications were  all  individually  small,  because  their  simple 
object  was  usefulness  to  others,  and  not  eminence  to  him- 
self. He  made  no  effort  to  gain,  or  to  support  a  literary  re- 
putation for  himself.  His  great  end  was  to  be  in  all  things, 
an  instrument  of  good  to  others.  In  the  attainment  of  this 
end,  he  was  favoured  to  an  unusual  degree,  and  his  reward  is 
not  so  much  in  man's  judgment,  though  there  he  is  not  defi- 
cient, as  it  is  in  the  favour  and  approbation  of  God. 

Dr.  Bedell's  interest  was  strongly  and  permanently  enlist- 
ed in  the  promotion  of  the  great  objects  of  rehgious  benevo- 
lence. His  own  liberality  and  disinterestedness  in  expendi- 
tures for  the  promotion  of  the  gospel  among  men,  which  were 
well  known  to  his  intimate  friends,  led  to  a  desire  in  his 
heart  for  equal  effort  and  equal  generosity  on  the  part  of  the 
congregation  committed  to  him.  In  this  desire  he  was  not 
disappointed  ;  they  sustained  him  in  the  plans  which  he  pro- 
posed to  them  for  doing  good,  with  much  liberality.  In  re- 
ference to  this,  he  says  in  his  anniversary  sermon, — 

"  God  has  wonderfully  blessed  us  in  the  stand  which  this 
congregation  has  taken,  as  it  regards  the  advancement  of  the 
cause  of  Christ.  I  am  fully  persuaded,  that  there  is  nothing 
which  gives  a  better  criterion  by  which  to  form  a  judgment 
of  the  healthy  state  of  religion,  than  the  disposition  manifest- 
ed in  a  congregation  to  lend  the  aid  of  their  time,  their. talents, 
and  their  property,  to  the  promotion  of  religion.  It  has 
been  the  reproach  of  Episcopalians,  that  there  has  existed 
among  them  so  little  disposition  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  It  is  not  necessary,  at  the  pre- 
sent time,  that  I  should  decide  the  question,  whether  this 


262  MEMOIR   OF 

reproach  is  true  or  false  ;  but  I  do  desire  to  record  it  as  one 
of  the  most  distinguishing  mercies  vouchsafed  to  this  Church, 
that  there  has  been  here  exhibited  a  very  decided  spirit  of 
unusual  liberality.  I  do  not  remember  that  any  thing  of  a 
definite  form  has  ever  been  presented  to  you,  but  it  has  met 
with  a  hearty  and  liberal  co-operation.  The  cause  of  Christ, 
in  general,  as  fully  identified  with  the  advance  of  spiritual 
religion  among  yourselves,  has  been  ever  held  up  to  you 
from  this  pulpit ;  and  I  do  most  humbly  yet  most  fully  render 
my  thanksgiving  to  God,  that  he  has  inclined  your  hearts  to 
look  with  favour  on  those  plans  of  Christian  benevolence 
which  constitute  the  moral  glory  of  the  age.  Take  the  sub- 
ject of  education  :  our  Sunday  schools  have  been  always 
well  supported;  whatever  has  been  asked,  has  been  given. 
Two  Bible  classes  connected  with  the  Sunday  schools  of 
this  Church,  together  with  the  female  school,  and  two  classes 
under  the  direction  of  one  of  our  teachers,  but  whose  mem- 
bers do  not  belong  to  our  Church ;  these  classes  have  now 
for  three  years  or  more  supported  a  school  in  Greece,  at  the 
annual  appropriation  of  $300,  and  at  this  moment  upwards 
of  one  hundred  of  the  descendants  of  this  once  great,  but  now 
debased  and  ignorant  people,  are  receiving,  at  the  hands  of  a 
few  young  persons  among  us,  the  benefits  of  an  enlightened 
education.  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  statement  is  new  to 
many  of  my  hearers  ;  for  this  thing  has  been  done,  not  for 
purpose  of  shov/,  but  from  a  spirit  of  enlarged  beneficence. 
I  state  it,  that  God  may  have  the  glory.  And  I  have  not  yet 
done  speaking  on  the  subject  of  education.  Several  young 
men,  whose  hearts  the  Lord  has  prepared  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  have  already  been  assisted  in  their  education  by 
the  members  of  this  Church.  At  this  moment,  from  the 
communicants  alone,  there  are  funds  raised  which  will  edu- 
cate fifteen  annually,  allowing  $75  as  the  expense  of  the 
education  of  each  one.  This  is  $1125  annually  devoted  to 
this  object.     Averaging  the  period  of  the  education  of  each 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  263 

at  five  years,  in  ten  years  thirty  ministers  of  the  gospel  will 
here  have  received  the  means  of  education  ;  and  if  the  pro- 
cess goes  on  but  fifty  years,  the  Church  of  the  living  God 
will  have  been  indebted  to  the  communicants  of  this  congre- 
gation for  one  hundred  and  fifty  ministers  of  the  gospel, 
educated  intellectually,  spiritually  and  physically,  for  the 
spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Lest  I  should  be  sup- 
posed as  at  all  exaggerating,  I  have  left  out  other  matters 
connected  with  the  subject  of  education,  which  would  swell 
the  catalogue  of  mercies  in  relation  to  which  we  have  reason 
to  say,  '  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us.'  I  turn  to  the 
missionary  question.  Besides  the  collections  taken  up  in 
this  Church  at  the  call  of  the  General  Missionary  Society, 
and  the  Society  for  the  Advancement  of  Christianity  in  Penn- 
sylvania, the  Ladies'  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  ReHgion 
have  sustained  two  missionaries  in  the  lanes  and  alleys  of 
our  city,  and  to  hundreds  and  thousands  of  the  poor  and  des- 
titute has  the  gospel  of  Christ  been  preached.  The  Male 
Society  has  done  the  same,  but  in  a  more  limited  degree. 
God  of  his  mercy  has  enabled  us  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  the 
Saviour,  when  he  has  said,  '  Go  preach  my  gospel  to  every 
creature,'  and  in  this  he  has  wonderfully  helped  us  hitherto. 
Is  there  among  you  one  individual  poorer  for  what  he  has 
done  ?  No  ;  but  there  are  hundreds  and  thousands  among  us 
and  abroad,  who  are  richer  and  happier  for  time  and  for 
eternity. 


»5 


While  this  extract  states  some  of  the  results  which  had 
been  attained  in  this  congregation,  in  the  gaining  of  funds 
for  the  promotion  of  the  gospel  abroad  and  at  home,  the 
variety  of  instruments  which  Dr.  Bedell  employed  and  set 
in  operation  to  gain  these  results,  may  serve  to  exhibit  still 
farther  his  abundance  in  the  labours,  and  his  adaptation  to 
the  duties,  of  the  various  aspects  of  a  pastor's  responsibility. 
There  were  no  less  than  Jive,  distinct  societies,  male  and 


264  MEMOIROF 

female,  established  under  his  direction  in  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  for  the  accomplishment  of  different  objects  under 
the  general  head  of  religious  benevolence.  All  these  socie- 
ties he  visited  in  turn  at  their  weekly  and  occasional  meet- 
ings, exhorting  them  to  increase  of  diligence  and  zeal,  ad- 
dressing them  upon  special  subjects  connected  with  their 
undertaking,  and  interesting  himself  personally  in  the  small- 
est circumstance  connected  with  their  prosperity.  Nothing 
in  this  connexion  was  beneath  his  notice  and  care.  And 
while  his  mind  embraced  and  presented  to  them  the  largest 
fields  of  religious  enterprise,  and  the  most  extended  plans  of 
operation  for  the  whole,  he  would  appear  equally  interested 
in  the  cutting  of  a  garment  for  the  poor  by  some  member  of 
the  Dorcas  Society,  or  in  devising  and  improving  some  little 
fancy  article  for  sale  for  the  collection  of  money  for  the  mis- 
sionary cause.  The  arrangements  of  an  annual  fair  for  the 
sale  of  the  products  of  the  work  of  a  Sewing  society,  were 
made  and  superintended  by  himself.  The  evils  which  were 
supposed  to  attend  this  system  of  raising  money  were  no- 
ticed and  answered  by  him.  His  own  presence  and  control 
removed  all  abuses  which  might  have  been  elsewhere  con- 
nected with  it,  and  in  each  succeeding  year,  under  his  wise 
direction,  they  became  a  continued,  acceptable,  and  important 
instrument  of  increasing,  to  a  very  large  amount,  the  funds 
for  the  accomplishment  of  the  purposes  of  the  society  in  the 
promotion  of  religion  among  men.  He  delighted  to  see  the 
beneficent  spirit  of  the  Christian  exerting  itself  for  the  relief 
of  want  of  every  description  ;  but  he  always  avowed  his  de- 
cided opinion,  that  his  first  duty  was  to  the  cause  of  the  gos- 
pel and  to  the  promotion  of  Christianity  among  men.  For 
this  end  the  societies  of  his  Church  were  vigorously  engaged. 
Two  missionaries  for  destitute  parts  of  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia were  at  one  time  supported  by  them  with  a  salary  of 
$500  each.  The  large  and  flourishing  congregation  of 
Grace  Church,  now  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Wra.  Sud- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  265 

dards,  owes  its  origin  to  one  of  these  societies.  They  sup- 
ported the  minister  of  this  Church,  for  some  years  after  they 
had  commenced  the  effort  when  the  congregation  itself  was 
small  and  feeble.  It  is  delightful  to  record  too,  that  the 
zealous  spirit  which  animated  them  in  their  works  of  love, 
has  rested  also,  in  a  large  measure,  upon  the  Church  now 
so  prominent,  which  has  sprung  from  this  small  beginning. 
The  liberal  spirit  of  Dr.  Bedell  was  always  seconded,  and  car- 
ried out  by  his  people.  In  a  single  year  the  sum  of  $8000  has 
been  collected  in  the  congregation  of  St.  Andrew's  Church, 
for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel,  while  in  no  year  under  his 
ministry  was  there  a  deficiency  of  exertion  in  regard  to  the 
high  standard  of  duty  which  he  had  presented  to  their  minds. 
Dr.  Bedell  was  always  found  ready  to  give  his  influence 
and  exertions  to  every  valuable  object  for  religious  labour. 
While  the  peculiar  institutions  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
were  uniformly  sustained  by  him  and  his  congregation,  he 
was  prepared  and  willing  also,  as  opportunity  offered,  to 
engage  in  the  efforts  in  which  other  Christian  denominations 
were  united  together,  to  promote  the  common  purposes  and 
triumphs  of  Christianity.  The  American  Sunday-school 
Union  was  an  object  with  him  of  especial  interest.  For 
this,  he  made  several  journeys,  to  gain  a  knowledge  of  the 
state  of  Sunday  schools  generally,  and  to  promote  their 
prosperity.  His  peculiar  power  in  addressing  congregations 
of  children,  rendered  him  exceedingly  useful  and  interesting 
on  these  journeys.  On  such  occasions,  he  spoke  with  an 
irresistible  influence.  During  one  of  these  journeys  I  well 
remember,  the  deep  interest  which  was  excited  by  his 
appearance  and  address.  He  founded  his  remarks  upon  the 
well  known  commission  of  Pharaoh's  daughter  to  the 
mother  of  Moses,  "  Take  this  child  away,  and  nurse  it  for 
me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages."  His  audience  was 
composed  of  several  hundred  children,  and  many  adults  of 

the  highest  respectability.     Among  the  latter  were  several 

z 


266  -  MEMOIROF 

of  the  most  distinguished  of  the  statesmen  of  the  United 
States,  one  of  whom  was  afterwards  placed  in  the  highest 
office  in  the  gift  of  a  free  people.  But  there  was  not  pro* 
bably  one  unmoved  hearer  in  the  house,  while  some  of  the 
most  intelligent  declared,  they  had  never  before  so  felt  the 
power  of  a  public  speaker.  There  are  many  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  country,  who  will  not  readily  lose  the  impres- 
sions which  they  received  from  similar  addresses. 

To  one  of  the  last  of  these  journeys  he  refers,  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  a  clergyman,  to  whose  place  of  residence  he 
was  about^ going  for  the  purpose  already  described. 

"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  am  about  to  take  a  short  tour  for  the  benefit  of  my 
health,  and  have  been  requested  by  the  managers  of  the 
Sunday-school  Union,  to  speak  to  the  children  and  teachers, 
connected  with  their  institution.  I  have  felt  myself  called 
upon,  by  a  sense  of  duty,  to  consent  so  to  do,  and  letters 

have  been  written  to  the  proper  persons  in ,  that  if  they 

deem  it  expedient,  aiTangements  might  be  made. 

"  Whether  they  may  think  it  expedient,  is  a  matter  which 
I  have  not  yet  ascertained,  but  I  shall  be  prepared,  and  I 
suppose  as  the  Episcopal  schools  are  not  connected  with  the 
American  Union,  that  the  address,  if  given,  will  be  in  one 
of  the  Congregational  Churches.  My  purpose  in  writing  is 
to  say,  that  my  only  object  is  to  address  teachers  and 
children,  and  consequently  I  hope,  that  my  so  doing  will 
not  be  construed  into  any  hostility  to  the  Episcopal  Sunday- 
school  Union.  I  wish  this  institution  of  our  own  Church 
every  possible  success,  and  rejoice  in  its  rising  prospects ;  but 
my  attachments  have  been  to  the  American  Union  for  many 
years,  and  I  have  seen  no  circumstance  calculated  to  di- 
minish that  attachment.  My  own  schools  are  attached  to 
both  institutions.     It  would  give  me  pleasure  to  address  the 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  267 

children  of  the  Episcopal  schools  also,  but  this  will  of  course 
depend  on  the  wishes  of  those  who  have  the  management." 

Dr.  Bedell  was  always  a  most  acceptable  speaker  at  the 
anniversaries  of  benevolent  societies.  He  was  so  often 
engaged  in  this  duty,  that  it  would  be  quite  impossible  to  give 
any  extended  account  of  the  occasions  upon  which  he  spoke. 
As  the  circumstances  of  his  original  connexion  with  the  Ame- 
rican Bible  Society  have  been  mentioned  however,  his  address 
at  the  anniversary  of  that  Society  in  1828  will  be  appropri- 
ate and  acceptable,  as  a  specimen  of  his  style  of  address  in 
this  department,  and  of  his  abiding  attachment  to  that  noble 
institution.  It  is  affecting  indeed,  in  looking  over  the  names 
of  those  who  were  prominent  on  that  occasion — Varick, 
Troup,  Hyde,  Sanford,  Rice,  and  Bedell, — all  names  widely 
known,  and  as  widely  esteemed  in  the  Church  of  Christ, 
have  gone  to  their  final  resting  place  in  a  vast  eternity ! 
How  solemn  is  the  appeal  which  the  departures  of  such  men 
make  to  those  who  are  left  to  act  for  the  cause  of  Christ, — 
^'  Work  while  it  is  called  to-day," — "  Whatsoever  thy  hand 
findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might !" 

*'  Mr.  President, — 

*'  In  rising  to  offer  a  resolution,  which  has  been  put  into 
my  hand,  I  trust  that  I  may  not  be  considered  as  travelling 
far  out  of  the  path  which  it  becomes  me  to  pursue,  if  I 
venture  to  express  my  feelings  on  being  permitted  to  be  pre- 
sent at  this  anniversary.  It  is  a  pleasure  which,  for  years, 
I  have  been  anxious  to  enjoy  ;  for  though  living,  during  the 
last  six,  in  a  sister  city,  I  have  hitherto  been  prevented  by 
some  paramount  obligations.  The  difficulties  having  been 
removed,  I  am  now  permitted  to  be  present,  at  what  I  con- 
sider, in  every  respect,  the  most  august,  the  most  beneficent, 
and  the  most  eternally  important  assemblage  which  ever  has, 
or  ever  can  be  gathered  in  our  country ;  and,  when  I  com- 


268  MEMOIR   OF 

pare  my  own  feelings  at  present,  with  what  I  have  read  of 
theirs,  who,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  are  annually  gathered 
together  in  the  city  of  London,  on  the  same  high  and  holy 
purposes,  I  am  no  longer  surprised  at  what  I  once  considered 
enthusiasm,  and  what  might  once  have  passed  with  me  for 
romance.  I  do  not  suppose  that  a  single  individual  present 
is  ignorant  of  what  is  now  going  on  in  the  metropolis  of  Eng- 
land, when  London  appears  as  did  Jerusalem  at  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  for  there  are  gathered  together  Israelites  indeed, 
devout  men,  out  of  almost  every  nation  under  heaven,  wait- 
ing for  the  fulfilment  of  the  promise,  in  another  outpouring 
of  the  Spirit.  But,  Sir,  the  same  causes  which  give  a 
heavenly  charm  to  the  city  of  London  at  this  season,  give  a 
heavenly  charm  to  the  city  in  which  we  are  assembled.  I 
may  not  forget,  that  this  city  is  the  city  of  my  birth,  and 
earliest  years  ;  and  though,  in  the  purposes  of  Providence, 
it  does  appear,  that  it  is  not  to  be  the  city  of  my  resi- 
dence, yet  I  may  not  also  forget  that  it  is  peculiarly  dear  to 
me,  because  it  is  the  place  of  my  father's  sepulchre.  But, 
Sir,  there  is  a  charm  about  it  at  this  time,  which  is  far 
superior  to  all  these.  I  feel,  and  this  is  sufficient  for  my 
present  purpose — I  feel,  that  there  is  now  assembled  on  the 
general  legislation  of  the  spiritual  Church  of  the  living  God, 
the  zeal,  the  energy,  the  wisdom  and  the  piety  of  the  land  ; 
that  here,  as  it  were,  '  the  chariots  of  God  are  twenty  thou- 
sand, even  thousands  of  angels  :  and  that  the  Lord  is  among 
them,  as  on  the  holy  place  of  Sinai.'  There  is  here  a  moral 
atmosphere  created,  which  is  all  fragrance ;  and  in  reference 
to  this  assembly  it  may  be  said,  in  a  far  higher  sense  than 
genius  ever  prompted  poetry  to  sing, 

'  Sweet  month ! 
'  If  not  the  first,  the  fairest  in  the  year  !' 

"  In  paying  a  close  attention  to  the  full  and  satisfactory 
report,  which  has  been  read,  and  in  listening  to  the  interest- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  269 

ing  and  animated  addresses  which  have  been  pronounced  in 
our  hearing,  my  mind  has  been  powerfully  impressed  with 
the  idea,  that  the  year  which  has  ended  has  been  marked 
with  the  smiles  of  Providence  in  the  most  signal  manifesta- 
tions. 

"  There  never  was,  perhaps,  a  year  in  which  the   Bible 
cause  has  received  so  great  an  accession  of  real  friends  ;  for 
a  man  only  becomes  a  real  friend  to  the   Bible  cause,  inas- 
much as  his  heart  comes  under  the  influence  of  that  Spirit, 
by  whose  inspiration  the  Bible  itself  was  written.     Probably, 
when  I  say  that  there  never  was  a  year  in  which  the  Bible 
cause  received  so  great  a  reception  of  real  friends,   I  may 
make  my  meaning  more  intelligible,  by  a  recurrence  to  facts 
of  so  spirit-stirring  a  character,  that,   whether  they  stand 
alone,  or  are  connected  with  this  subject,  they  may  make 
the  hearts  of  Christians  rejoice,  because  they  have  already 
been  the   occasion  of  rejoicing  among  the  angels  of  God. 
This  year  and  the  last,  have  been  years  of  large  and  exten- 
sive revivals  of  religion.     Take  up  the  vehicles  of  religious 
intelligence,  which  have  emanated  from  the  east,  the  west, 
the  north  and  south,  and  the  triumphs  of  the  Cross  are  re- 
corded in  the  multitudes,  who,  under  the  most  powerful  out- 
pourings of  the  Spirit,  have  been  '  brought  from  darkness  to 
light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God.'     I  need  not 
enlarofe  on  these  facts,  before  such  an  audience  as  this — that 
there  have  been  these  revivals,  is  well  known  to  every  friend 
to  the  Redeemer's  cause.     But,  Sir,  the  remark  I  draw  from 
it  is  this,  and  it  is  a  remark  which  brings  this  soul-cheering 
subject  to  bear  on  the  very  purpose,  and  in  the  very  work 
for  which  we  are  assembled.     It  is  supposed,  (I  have  not 
the  data  to  go  into  any  such  calculation,  as  to  make  the  mat- 
ter subject   of    demonstration,)   but  it   is   supposed,   that, 
during  the  last  eighteen  months  or  two  years,  more  than 
100,000  individuals   have    been  hopefully  converted,  and 

brought  into  the  Church  of  the  living  God,  under  the  im- 

z  2 


N. 


270  MEMOIR   OF 

pression  of  these  seasons  of  spiritual  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord.  If  so,  then  what  cause  of  congratu- 
lation, not  only  because  souls  have  been  rescued  from  the 
grasp  of  the  destroyer,  and  are  regenerated,  brought  into  the 
enjoyment  of  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God — but 
because  there  are  100,000  who  are  now  the  friends  of  the 
Bible,  not  on  ordinary  grounds,  but  on  the  experienced 
benefit  of  its  power,  and  in  the  sympathies  of  their  new 
creation  in  Christ  Jesus.  Many  of  these  men,  may  before 
have  been  the  acknowledged  advocates  of  the  Bible ;  but 
what  a  difference  will  it  make  in  the  same  men  when  once 
the  sympathies  of  a  converted  heart  are  brought  to  bear  on 
the  sacred  cause.  Oh !  what  a  real  friend  will  he  be  to  the 
cause,  who,  through  the  power  of  the  precious  Word,  has 
been,  in  the  language  of  the  Bible,  '  begotten  again  to  a  lively 
hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead  1' 
Now,  Sir,  I  hazard  a  remark,  (I  know  not,  personally, 
whether  it  has  its  foundation  in  fact  or  not,)  but  in  reflecting 
on  the  subject,  it  appears  to  me  as  if  the  whole  rationale  of 
the  operation  required  it — that  the  magnificent  efforts  which 
have  characterized  the  last  year  of  the  Bible  Society,  and 
about  which  so  much  has  been  written  in  the  Report,  and  so 
much  said  in  the  addresses,— that  these  magnificent  operations 
have  originated  with  those  alone,  who  have  been  brought  into 
the  fold  of  Christ  during  these  revivals,  or  who,  themselves 
Christians  before,  have  had  their  hearts  warmed  into  a 
livelier  sensibility,  and  awakened  into  a  more  burning  zeal  in 
consequence  of  these  revivals.  If  I  am  mistaken.  Sir,  no 
harm  is  done.  If  I  am  right,  then  have  we  still  more  abun- 
dant reason  to  be  convinced  '  that  it  is  all  the  Lord's  doing, 
and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes.' 

"  This,  Mr.  President,  leads  me  directly  to  the  specific  sub- 
ject of  the  resolution  which  I  hold  in  my  hand,  and  which, 
before  I  make  a  few  additional  remarks,  I  will  take  the  liberty 
of  reading :  '  That  the  smiles  of  Providence  on  this  Society, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  271 

particularly  during  the  past  year,  call  for  the  devout  grati- 
tude of  all  the  friends  of  the  Bible,  and  for  new  zeal  in  the 
work  of  its  future  distribution.' 

"This  contemplates  thanks  to  Almighty  God.  About  the 
propriety  of  this,  as  I  had  occasion  to  remark  the  other 
evening,  who  can  raise  a  question  ?  But,  Sir,  thanks  which 
flow  from  the  warm  inspiration  of  the  heart,  instead  of  the 
cold  expression  of  the  lips,  always  flow  out  into  some  prac- 
tical exhibitions.  When  the  soul  of  the  Psalmist  was 
almost  too  full  for  utterance,  and  when  his  question  was, 
'  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ?'  he 
answered,  '  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  will  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord !'  How  shall  we  express  our  grati- 
tude to  God  ?  By  enlarged  exertions.  Let  every  indivi- 
dual be  more  active — pray  more  intensely — give  more  per- 
sonal exertion ; — give  more  largely  of  your  money.  Much 
as  has  been  done,  there  is  much  left  undone.  I  recollect  to 
have  heard  a  remark,  made  at  a  late  Bible  anniversary  in 
Philadelphia,  somewhat  like  this,  that  although  much  has 
been  done  by  the  efforts  to  put  a  Bible  into  every  family  in 
the  land,  why  not  into  the  hands  of  every  individual?  Is 
this  supposed  extravagant,  unnecessary,  or  impracticable  ? 
In  answer  to  the  idea  of  its  impracticability,  I  would  say, 
nothing  is  impracticable  where  the  cause  of  God  is  con- 
cerned. Faith,  which  can  remove  a  mountain,  can  put  a 
Bible  where  it  lists.  It  gives  me  pain  to  hear  Christians 
talk  of  the  impracticability  of  doing  that  which  has  the  glory 
of  God  for  its  object.  Why,  Sir,  that  faith  which  lays  hold 
on  the  promises  of  God,  has  a  derived  omnipotence.  This 
suggestion  is  not  unnecessary,  Why,  Sir,  let  me  illustrate. 
W^e  w^ere  both  children  once,  and  though  it  costs  your 
speaker  a  shorter  effort  of  memory  to  look  back  than  it  does 
yours,*  yet  we  can  both  remember  well  enough,  that  the  toy 

*  The  venerable  Col.  Varick  was  then  the  President  of  the  Society, 
who  soon  after  departed  from  the  earth. 


272  MEMOIR   OF 

which  was  the  common  property  of  the  play-room  or  the 
mirsery,  loved  as  it  was,  was  not  loved  as  the  one  which 
each  would  call  his  own.  When  we  deal  with  men, 
whether  for  their  temporal  or  eternal  welfare,  we  must  deal 
with  the  ordinary  principles  of  human  nature.  When  we 
proffer  the  salvation  of  the  gospel,  we  do  it  as  a  general 
offer ;  but  we  want  every  individual  so  to  receive  it  as  to  be 
enabled  to  say,  "  my  beloved  is  7nine,  and  I  am  his."  So  of  the 
Bible. — Let  every  individual  call  a  copy  of  it  his  own,  and 
then  it  will  be  better  loved  and  better  received.  I  do  but  hint 
at  this  subject,  for  I  do  not  suppose  that  its  accomplishment 
by  us  is  to  be  thought  of.  We  have  already  come  up  to  the 
measure  of  our  faith — I  repeat  it,  we  have  already  come  up 
to  the  measure  of  our  faith.  It  will  require  the  energies  of 
another  generation,  whose  faith  shall  be  stronger  than  ours. 
Yet  do  I  doubt  the  accomplishment  of  the  project  I  have 
hinted  at  ?  No,  Sir  ;  I  have  no  more  doubt  of  it,  than  I 
have  that  I  now  address  you.  The  whole  history  of  the 
Bible  Society  has  been  a  history  of  nothing  but  progression. 
'  Speak  to  the  children  of  Israel  that  they  go  forward,'  has 
been  the  word,  and  they  have  gone  forward ;  and  though 
they  have  sometimes  seen  the  Red  Sea  in  front,  and  almost 
impassable  mountains  on  either  side,  and  their  foes  in  the 
rear,  yet  they  have  still  gone  forward,  and  the  Lord  has 
opened  their  way.  And  though  their  enemies  may  not  have 
perished  like  Pharaoh  and  his  hosts — they  have,  neverthe- 
less, been  left  so  far  behind  in  the  wilderness,  that  they  have 
given  up  the  chase  as  hopeless. 

"  We  have  heard  much,  to-day,  Mr.  President,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  encouragements.  Why,  Sir,  my  soul  doth  magnify 
the  Lord  that  there  are  these  encouragements.  But  they 
are  condescensions  to  tlie  weakness  of  our  faith.  I  have 
one  encouragement  to  offer  you  this  morning,  which  is 
worth  all  the  external  and  adventitious  circumstances  which 
have  served  to  fill  our  hearts  with  so  much  joy  and  gladness. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  273 

It  is  an  encouragement  furnished  me  by  an  old  writer,  about 
whose  authority  there  will  be  here  no  question.  '  As  the 
rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth 
not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth  and  maketh  it  to  bring 
forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread 
to  the  eater,  so  shall  my  word  be,  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my 
mouth:  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accom- 
plish that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  things 
whereto  I  sent  it.'  How  beautiful — how  sublime — how 
full!  What  need  have  we  of  further  witness?  The  Lord 
hath  spoken.  You  know  that  in  the  economy  of  Providence, 
the  snow  and  the  rain  are  the  speechless  agents  of  the 
Maker's  will  to  minister  to  the  happiness  of  man.  The  one 
clothes  the  earth  in  a  protecting  mantle,  to  shelter  the  deli- 
cate seeds  entrusted  to  its  bosom — the  other  descends  to  pre- 
pare the  earth  for  the  occupation  of  the  husbandman,  to  assist 
the  seed  in  its  process  of  decomposition  ;  to  urge  forward  the 
living  principle  ;  to  mature  and  to  ripen.  How  beautifully 
is  it  said  by  the  Prophet,  that  when  they  have  accomplished 
their  purposes,  they  return  to  God  again,  again  to  per- 
form the  same  kind  office.  For  the  snow  melts  away,  as  the 
sun  gathers  his  vernal  strength,  and  with  the  rain,  the  still  and 
almost  imperceptible  evaporation  carries  it  back  to  the  clouds, 
where  it  waits  the  command  of  God,  to  fall  in  the  gentle  show- 
er, the  impetuous  torrent,  or  to  be  condensed  into  the  virgin 
snow.  Year  after  year,  goes  on  this  process,  and  the  pro- 
mise is  'seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread  to  the  eater.'  Hath  it 
ever  failed  ?  '  So  shall  my  word  be.'  As  the  protecting 
snow  upon  the  earth — as  the  rain  upon  the  parched  ground  ; 
as  the  showers  that  water  the  earth,  '  so  shall  my  word  be.' 
'  It  shall  not  return  unto  me  void.'  When  it  returns,  it  shall 
be  laden  with  the  spirits  of  the  vanquished  enemy  of 
man's  salvation — it  shall  be  laden  with  the  testimony  and 
the  tribute  of  new  born  souls — it  shall  carry  with  it  the  tears, 
and   the   prayers,   and   the   praises   of  the   people   turned 


274  MEMOIR   OF 

unto  the  Lord.  '  It  shall  prosper  in  the  things  whereto  I 
sent  it.  I  sent  it  to  point  out  to  man  his  situation  as  a  sin- 
ner. '  It  shall  prosper  in  the  things  whereto  I  sent  it.'  Men 
shall  cry  '  what  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?'  '  I  sent  it  to  re- 
veal myself  as  a  mighty  Saviour.'  '  It  shall  prosper  in  the 
things  whereto  I  sent  it.'  Men  shall  turn  their  faces  from 
the  earth,  where  they  had  gathered  blackness,  and  hope  shall 
smile  on  their  countenance  of  wo.  '  I  sent  it  to  reveal  the 
Cross,  the  mystery  of  love.'  '  It  shall  prosper  in  the  things 
whereto  I  sent  it.'  Men  '  shall  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.' 
I  sent  it  to  chase  away  the  clouds  and  darkness  which  had 
hung  on  the  future,  and  to  bring  life  and  immortality  to  light. 
'  I  sent  it  to  place  before  a  world  of  sinners  the  offers  of  my 
mercy.'  I  sent  it  to  meliorate  the  condition  of  the  most  de- 
graded of  mankind,  to  change  this  wilderness  into  Canaan. 
'  It  shall  prosper  in  the  things  whereto  I  sent  it.'  '  The  wil- 
derness shall  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose — instead  of  the 
thorn  shall  come  up  the  myrtle-tree.'  Want  you  a  better 
encouragement  than  this?  Why,  Sir,  if,  generally,  Bible 
friends  were  turned  into  Bible  foes — if  instead  of  encourage- 
ments, every  thing  looked  black  ;  if  instead  of  this  large  and 
brilliant  assemblage,  in  this  great  city,  you  Avere  but  a  little 
band,  and  compelled,  like  the  primitive  Christians,  to  meet 
in  dens  and  caves  of  the  earth,  what  matter  it?  Is  not  the 
Lord  on  your  side  ?  Has  not  his  word  gone  forth  ?  Had  I 
nothing  to  cling  to,  I  would  lay  hold  on  this  one  promise — 
'  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and 
returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth  and  maketh  it 
bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and 
bread  to  the  eater.'  And  every  time  I  saw  the  gambols  of 
the  fleecy  snow,  or  the  wise,  steady  descent  of  the  rain-drop, 
I  would  be  as  free  from  doubt  on  this  subject,  as  I  am  on  an- 
other, when  I  sometimes  see  the  beautiful  bow  of  promise, 
as  it  reposes  in  all  its  majesty  and  splendour,  on  the  bosom 
of  the  cloud  which  has  passed  away.     This  tells  me,  and  do 


REV.    DR.     BEDELL.  275 

we  doubt  it  ?  that  the  waters  of  a  flood  shall  no  more  over- 
flow the  earth  !  The  other — but  need  I  repeat  its  lesson  ? 
No  !  Send  abroad  the  Bible  then !  Be  not  slack — wher- 
ever it  falls  it  must  be  prospered,  for  the  '  mouth  of  the  Lord 
hath  spoken  it.'  " 

If  any  special  department  of  Christian  beneficence  seemed 
particularly  dear  to  him,  it  was  the  education  of  indigent, 
pious  young  men  for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  To  this 
he  devoted  a  large  portion  of  his  time  and  effort.  In  a  pre- 
ceding extract  from  his  sermon  it  has  been  referred  to.  But 
there  was  one  aspect  of  this  cause  which  gave  him  unalloyed 
satisfaction.  Among  his  own  communicants  there  was  an 
average  of  at  least  one  in  each  year  who  devoted  himself  to 
the  ministry.     Of  this  he  thus  speaks  in  the  same  sermon : — 

"But  there  is  one  branch  of  this  subject  which  I  take  up 
with  sensations  of  indescribable  gratitude.     '  Hitherto  hath 
the  Lord  helped  us,'  for  we   have  already  been  permitted  to 
behold  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  or  in  a  stage  of  ad- 
vanced preparation,  no  less  than  ten  young  men,  whose  first 
religious  impressions  were  here  received  under  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  or  whose  religious  sensibility  was  here 
cherished  and  nourished  to  the  subject  of  the  ministry.    Had 
God  of  his  infinite  mercy  permitted  this  Church  to  do  no- 
thing else  towards  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom than  this,  the  raising  up  among  ourselves  in  ten  years 
of  ten  young  men,  who  are,  or  will  be  speedily,  in  the  field 
of  labour,  preaching  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to 
perishing  sinners,  it  were  enough  to  swell  the  heart  with 
gratitude,  and  draw  the  tear  of  joy  for  so  distinguishing  a 
mercy :  for  this  will  so  long  outlive  us  all,  and  its  spiritual 
advantages  be  utterly  incalculable.     Suppose  that  at  a  very 
moderate  calculation  these  ten  young  men  are  made  the  in- 
struments of  the  conversion  each  of  one  hundred  souls,  one 


276  MEMOIR    OF 

thousand  souls  will  be  saved,  and  who  can  count  the  value  of 
a  single  soul  ?  But  among  these  one  thousand  souls  con- 
verted through  their  instrumentality,  ten  at  least  shall  enter 
on  the  same  glorious  work  of  the  ministry,  and  these  ten 
shall  be  made  the  instrument  of  one  thousand  more  conver- 
sions, and  so  must  go  on  the  series  ;  and  then,  when  hun- 
dreds and  thousands  shall  have  been  converted,  and  when  it 
all  can  be  traced  back  as  the  river  to  the  fountain,  to  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  this  Church,  who  can  estimate  the 
debt  of  gratitude  which  is  due  to  the  God  who  has  thus 
helped  us  ?  Oh,  my  friends,  the  sense  of  God's  goodness  is 
overwhelming  to  a  painful  degree,  and  I  must  stop  the  recital. 
Let  you  and  I  take  up  the  language  of  the  text,  as  well  we 
may,  '  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us.'  " 

His  interest  in  this  important  department  led  to  a  very 
efficient  co-operation  in  the  plans  of  the  Episcopal  Education 
Society,  of  which  he  was  the  President,  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  proper  school  for  the  preparatory  classical  educa- 
tion of  students  for  the  ministry.  This  school  was  first 
opened  upon  a  farm  purchased  for  the  purpose  near  Wil- 
mington, in  Delaware.  But  this  location,  proving  entirely 
too  limited  for  the  attainment  of  the  object  proposed,  the 
place  was  sold,  and  the  estate  on  which  Bristol  College  is 
now  located  on  the  Delaware  river,  about  seventeen  miles 
above  Philadelphia,  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $20,000. 
For  this  college  a  charter  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  although  its  origin  is  yet  so  recent  the 
success  which  has  crowned  the  effort,  has  in  every  respect 
been  most  triumphant.  Its  main  object  is  to  educate  pious 
young  men  for  the  ministry  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  though 
it  also  extends  the  important  benefits  of  a  literary  education, 
under  the  most  direct  and  valuable  Christian  influence,  to 
young  men  who  are  not  studying  with  this  view.  In  the 
establishment  of  this  institution,  Dr.  Bedell  was  deeply  in- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  277 

terested.  Knowing  as  he  did  its  real  character  and  inesti- 
mable importance,  he  considered  it,  and  presented  it  to  the 
people  of  his  charge,  as  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  useful 
Christian  efforts  of  the  present  age  in  connexion  with  the 
Episcopal  Church.  It  would  have  given  him  unfeigned  de- 
light, could  he  have  seen  the  liberal  and  ardent  interest  with 
which  it  has  since  been  embraced  and  sustained  by  those  in 
the  Church  who  understand  and  value  its  objects.  From  its 
present  course  and  prospects  it  may  be  looked  upon  with 
very  great  justice  and  reason,  as  likely  to  exercise  a  more 
valuable  and  extensive  influence  upon  the  character  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  than  any  other  institution  which  is  con- 
nected with  it ;  and  the  ardent  desires  and  confident  expecta- 
tions of  Dr.  Bedell,  and  those  who  united  with  him  in  its 
establishment,  promise  to  be  even  more  than  realized  in  its 
ultimate  efficiency  and  worth. 

His  deep  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  Bristol  College  was 
atfectingly  displayed  in  a  thanksgiving  sermon  which  he 
preached  in  St.  Andrew's,  November  1832,  after  the  ces- 
sation of  the  cholera,  from  2d  Samuel  xxiv.  24, — "  Neither 
will  I  offer  unto  the  Lord  of  that  which  doth  cost  me  no- 
thing." 

From  this  sermon  some  passages  will  show  both  his  feel- 
ings and  his  plan  upon  this  subject.  His  congregation  have 
seconded  him  in  their  general  response  to  the  call,  though 
not  precisely  in  the  definite  form  and  way  which  he  point- 
ed out. 

"  By  the  merciful  providence  of  God,  my  friends,  we  are 
relieved  from  the  ravages  of  a  pestilence  whose  approach  was 
anticipated  with  the  most  gloomy  feelings,  but  whose  actual 
occurrence,  although  marked  by  circumstances  of  very  me- 
lancholy character,  was  yet  modified  by  a  mercy  which 
makes  the  case  of  our  city  peculiar.  And  we  are  now  as- 
sembled to  render  our  thanksgivings  to  God  for  the  mercy 

A  a 


278  MEMOIR     OF 

with  which  he  has  seen  fit  to  visit  us.     Thanks  sent  up  td 
heaven  in  words,  are  offerings  easily  made.     Words  cost 
nothing.      The  sacrifice  of  an  hour  taken  from  the  ordinary 
business  of  the  world,  and  devoted  to  public  worship,  is  a 
matter  which  will  give  even  a  worldly  man   comparatively 
little  uneasiness.      But  an  occasion  like  the  present,  my 
friends,  demands  something  more.     Our  circumstances  are 
in  every  sense  new.     The  pestilence  with  which  we  were 
visited,  was  new  to  this  country.     It  had  been  naturalized 
in  Asia  and  the  East ;  but  we  had  only  heard  the  report 
of  danger,  distress,  and  death,  in  sudden  and  aggravated  forms. 
We  were  told  of  the  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  cut 
down  as   in  a  moment.      We  bestowed  little  thought   and 
manifested  but  little  sympathy  with  those  who  were  suffer- 
ing, as  if  the  pestilence  was  only  to  be  expected  in  the  far 
distant  climes  and  among  a  people  rude  and  filthy  and  com- 
paratively uncivilized.    When  we  found  that  this  same  pesti- 
lence had  taken  its  onward  march  and  fixed  its  fangs  upon 
Europe,  we  then  felt  more  alarmed,  but  still  we  thought  of 
the  wide  expanse  of  the  Atlantic,  and  hoped  either  that  it 
would  fear  to  cross  that  mighty  world  of  waters,  or  if  it  ad- 
ventured a  passage,  it  would  come  in  forms  singularly  modi- 
fied by  the  habits  and  manners  of  our  people.     In  all  these 
we  have  been  disappointed.     It  did  cross  the  mighty  ocean, 
and  on  the  first  spot  where  its  foot  did  tread,  it  exerted  a 
malignant  influence  equalling  its  ravages  any  where  in  the 
world ;  and  then  it  came  to  a  sister  city,  carrying  oft',  in  the 
space  of  three  months,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  at  least  seven 
thousand  of  its  inhabitants,  and  filling  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple with  dismay,  and  making  the  streets  to  wear  a  most  me- 
lancholy aspect,  and  giving  a  shock  to  business,  and  bring- 
ing on  a  series  of  complicated  distresses.     Then  we  hoped 
that  sanitary  regulations   and   peculiar   circumstances   of  a 
favourable  character  might  shield  our  beloved  city.      But 
here  too  we  were  mistaken.     It  came,  and  in  its  period 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  279 

numbered  with  the  dead  more  than  a  thousand  of  our  citizens, 
and  gave  here  also  a  shock  to  business  enterprise  which  it 
has  not  totally  recovered.  But  God  dealt  with  this  city  with 
peculiar  mercy— a  lesser  mortality — a  lesser  degree  of  sick- 
ness, and  a  speedier  termination  of  the  visitation,  marked  the 
dispensation  among  us.  And  now  we  are  assembled  to  ren- 
der thanksgivings  to  God  for  his  peculiar  mercy.  As  I  said, 
the  language  of  thanksgiving  is  easy.  Words  cost  nothing. 
I  come  to  say  to  you  that  no  gratitude  can  rise  to  heaven 
which  goes  not  up  from  the  altar  of  the  heart.  But  while 
this  is  my  theme  of  continual  pulpit  exhortation,  our  new 
circumstances  authorize  a  new  method  by  which  the  grati- 
tude of  our  hearts  may  be  manifested.  Shall  our  thanks  to 
God  for  this  mercy,  evaporate  in  words  ?  Shall  it  stop  with 
this  solemn  assembling — this  word  of  prayer — this  song  of 
praise  ? 

"  No  such  occasion  of  gratitude  as  the  present,  my  friends, 
has  ever  been  presented  to  your  consideration.  A  disease 
has  appeared  in  our  country,  which  takes  the  decided  form 
of  a  visitation  of  the  Almighty,  for  purposes,  I  trust,  connect- 
ed with  our  everlasting  good.  That  disease  came  among 
you,  and  it  passed  lightly  over  you.  No  city,  in  which  its 
ravages  have  at  all  been  felt,  has  experienced  so  merciful  a 
relief.  Its  ravages  were  distressing,  but  the  duration  was 
comparatively  short,  and  the  number  of  its  victims  small  in 
a  most  wonderful  and  extraordinary  degree.  Your  families 
have  suffered  less  than  might  have  been  anticipated,  for  it 
came  in  a  season  of  the  year,  when  many  were  accustomed 
to  be  beyond  the  limits  of  the  city ;  your  business  has  suf- 
fered less  than  might  have  been  anticipated,  for  it  came  in  a 
season  in  which  there  was  always  more  or  less  stagnation. 
And  how  few,  very  few  among  you  of  this  congregation,  may 
be  said  to  have  suffered,  either  by  the  pestilence  itself  or  any 
of  its  attendant  circumstances.  Is  this  no  call  for  some  special 
mark  of  gratitude  ;  some  peculiar  offering  by  which  that  grati- 


280  MEMOIR   OF 

tude  may  be  testified  ?  In  my  heart  and  conscience,  I  be- 
lieve that  it  is,  and  in  the  discharge  of  what,  I  believe  to  be 
my  duty  both  to  God  and  to  you  on  this  occasion,  I  propose, 
that  this  congregation,  as  a  congregation,  make  some  thank- 
offering  to  God,  which  shall  for  ever  serve  as  a  memorial  of 
your  gratitude  for  the  mercful  deliverance  extended.  We 
erect  a  column  to  the  political  saviour  of  his  country ;  we 
inscribe  on  monumental  marble  the  names  of  those  who  have 
died  as  the  benefactors  of  the  public.  I  ask  of  you  some  pub- 
lic testimonial  of  gratitude  to  God,  for  lives  and  property  and 
happiness,  spared  from  the  ravages  of  the  pestilence  which 
walketh  in  darkness  and  of  the  sickness  that  destroyeth  at 
noon-day.  I  propose  that  some  splendid  deed  of  charity  be  done 
by  you  to  commemorate  this  day  of  gratitude  ;  some  institu- 
tion founded  or  encouraged,  which  shall  tell  to  distant  gene- 
rations, the  grateful  remembrance  of  the  Church  of  a  mercy 
so  distinguished  ;  some  large  amount  of  property  devoted  to 
the  service  of  God,  your  liberal  benefactor. 

"  By  a  very  singular  combination  of  circumstances,  this 
week  completes  the  purchase  of  an  estate,  on  which  the 
Education  Society,  of  which  your  preacher  holds  the  respon- 
sible office  of  President,  purposes  to  carry  out  its  plans  of 
extended  usefulness,  on  the  score  of  education.  To  this 
plan  some  of  you  have  already  been  liberal,  but  an  error  M^as 
committed  in  venturing  upon  a  scheme  calculated  for  such 
an  immense  amount  of  good,  on  a  location  far  too  straitened. 
Even  there,  enough  has  been  accomplished  to  convince  us  of 
the  entire  practicability  and  the  amazing  advantages  of  the 
course  pursued  ;  but  with  hands  comparatively  tied,  we  were 
continually  compelled  to  refuse  application  upon  application 
from  young  men  from  Georgia  to  Maine,  who  wished  to 
gain  for  themselves  the  benefits  of  an  enlightened  education. 
Young  men  for  whom  we  had  no  accommodation  have  thrown 
themselves  into  the  Presbyterian  Church ;  and  I  received  a 
visit  a  few  days  ago,  from  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  told 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  281 

me  that  three  hundred  and  thirty  young  men  now  among  them 
had  facilities  of  education,  and  that  unless  we  had  some  larger 
means,  their  Church  would  receive  the  best  and  most  pro- 
mising of  our  young  men.  How  disastrous  to  our  Church  is 
the  fact,  that  want  of  facility  among  us  forces  our  young 
men  into  another  Church.  I  do  want  that  reproach  wiped 
away.  Pained  by  these  circumstances,  we  have  felt  it  a 
duty  to  throw  ourselves  upon  the  providence  of  God,  and 
we  have  determined  to  transfer  all  our  arrangements  from 
the  present  location,  to  one  where  we  shall  have  no  need  of 
saying  to  any,  we  have  no  means  to  encourage  you.  And 
this  very  week,  arrangements  are  made  to  get  possession  of 
a  large  estate  of  extraordinary  accommodations,  and  which 
must  be  provided  at  an  expense  of  $20,000.  Never  did  the 
providence  of  God  throw  in  your  way  a  grander  opportunity 
of  good ;  and  I  propose  to  you  to  avail  yourselves  of  it  on 
the  present  occasion,  as  an  offering  of  thanksgiving  to  God  for 
his  peculiar  mercies.  What  a  testimony  of  gratitude  this 
would  be." 

In  the  development  which  I  have  thus  attempted  to  make 
of  Dr.  Bedell's  character  and  usefulness  as  a  pastor,  none 
can  fail  of  surprise,  that  one  labouring  under  the  burden  of 
such  feeble  and  failing  health,  should  have  been  able  to  ac- 
complish such  an  unusual  amount  of  duty.  His  persevering 
assiduity  and  diligence  will  account  for  it  in  part.  But  an- 
other trait  in  his  character  which  has  yet  been  but  partially 
noticed,  will  tend  still  more  to  explain  it ;  it  was  his  large 
and  benevolent  spirit  of  enterprise  and  singular  disinterested- 
ness. He  always  kept  before  his  mind  the  noblest  plans  of 
effort  for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  abroad,  and  for  its 
extension  and  establishment  at  home.  His  calculations  and 
designs  were  never  small.  His  faith  laid  hold  of  divine  prO' 
mises  with  much  confidence,  and  he  was  persevering  in  his 
expectations  of  a  good  result  to  Christian  effort,  sometimes 

Aa  2 


282  MEMOIR    OF 

long  after  the  expectations  of  others  had  begun  to  flag  and 
fail.     Though  so  quiet  and  unpretending  in  his  character  and 
habits,  and  appearing  to  have  so  little  that  was  sanguine  in 
his  temperament,  his  cheerful  and  bright  anticipations  always 
sustained  himself,  and  furnished  encouragement  and  strength 
to  others  who  were  ready  to  sink  under  the  power  of  despon- 
dency.    Remarkably  prudent  and  cautious,  he  was  an  inva- 
luable guide  in  the  various  efforts  of  Christian  usefulness. 
And  however  extensive  or  difficult  appeared  to  be  the  plan 
which  was  advocated  by  him,  a  firm  reliance  upon  his  judg- 
ment led  others  to  unite  in  it  without  hesitation  or  fear.     He 
thus  threw  himself  wholly  into  the  attainment  of  the  object 
which  he  pursued,  and  without  selfishness,  or  fear,  or  wea- 
riness in  its  pursuit,  he  rarely  failed  in  the  accomplishment  of 
his  ultimate  design ;  though  the  amount  of  labour  which  he 
devoted  to  it,  was  often  wonderful  to  those  who  were  unac- 
quainted with  his  character  and  habits.     He  had  unusually 
large  conceptions  of  the  personal  duty  of  the  Christian,  of 
the  sacrifices  which  he  must  make,  and  of  the  losses  with 
which  he  must  be  content.     Heavy  pecuniary  responsibili- 
ties and  incumbrances  were  laid  upon  him  through  his  whole 
maturity,  yet  he  cheerfully  robbed  himself  to  do  others  ser- 
vice.    His  talents  and  influence  were  wholly  consecrated  to 
the  great  work  of  doing  good.     All  that  he  had,  and  all  that 
he  was,  he  counted  as  an  oflering  unto  the  Lord.     The  ques- 
tion before  his  mind  was  never,  at  what  bound  of  duty  he 
might  be  permitted  to  stop,  but  what  measure  of  usefulness 
it  was  possible  for  him  to  fill  up.     His  feeble  health  required 
an  indulgence  of  mind  which  he  never  yielded  to  it.     He 
never  held  back  his  hand  from  the  work  of  the  Lord.     And 
with  this  spirit  he  laid  himself  down  in  the  mid-day  of  his 
life,  wasted,  exhausted,  worn  out,  but  calmly  and  watchfully 
waiting  for  his  crown,  and  receiving  his  reward.     The  la- 
bours and  eflbrts  which  have  been  thus  described,  were  cal- 
culated to  make  a  deep  impression  of  his  usefulness  and 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  283 

worth  upon  all  who  knew  or  heard  of  him  as  a  minister  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  considered  by  all  such,  a 
high  privilege  to  be  connected  with  him  under  his  pastoral 
care,  and  many  were  yearly  seeking  this  privilege  whom  the 
numbers  previously  committed  to  him,  necessarily  excluded 
from  the  advantage  which  they  desired. 


284  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER   X. 

PRIVATE      CHAHACTER EPISCOPAL    COSTVENTIOIfS DOMESTIC    RELA- 

TlOlfS MUSIC POETRY. 

Before  we  proceed  again  to  the  current  of  events  which  will 
lead  us  to  the  termination  of  his  life,  it  may  be  more  proper 
here,  than  in  any  other  place,  to  speak  of  Dr.  Bedell  in  his 
private  personal  character  as  a  Christian.  Though  his  mi- 
nistry was  so  distinguished  and  uniform,  his  personal  charac- 
ter in  the  most  intimate  connexions  of  life  was  entirely 
accordant  with  it.  Indeed  they  were  the  peculiar  traits  of 
his  individual  character,  which,  incorporated  into,  and  exhi- 
bited in  the  duties  of  his  ministry,  constituted  the  distinguish- 
ing excellencies  of  that.  His  whole  life,  both  public  and 
private,  was  remarkably  equal  and  uniform.  What  he  was 
seen  to  be  at  one  time,  and  in  one  place,  he  always  was; 
controlled  by  the  spirit  of  true  religion,  and  adorning  the 
doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour.  He  was  a  man  without  pro- 
fessions, but  singularly  sincere  and  free  from  guile.  Retired 
and  unassuming  in  his  disposition,  he  thrust  himself  into  no 
concerns  which  belonged  not  to  him.  In  conversation 
always  affable,  but  prudent  and  self-controlled.  He  spake 
evil  of  no  man ;  but  would  often  correct  the  severe  expres- 
sions in  regard  to  absent  persons  in  which  others  indulged, 
and  throw  in  some  remark  of  extenuation  or  excuse  for 
faults,  the  existence  of  which  he  could  not  deny.     There 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  285 

was  no  merit  in  living  peaceably  with  him,  for  the  man  must 
have  been  determined  indeed  to  wrangle,  who  could  find  in 
his  society,  room  for  dissention.  He  participated  largely  in 
the  reproaches  which,  in  the  midst  of  a  sinful  world,  are 
ready  to  follow  active  and  unyielding  effort  in  the  cause  of 
Christ.  But  he  returned  not  evil  for  evil,  or  "  railing  for 
railing."  In  hours  of  deep  trial,  when  lover  and  friend 
seemed  to  be  far  from  him,  and  misrepresentation  cruelly 
distorted  his  conduct  and  designs,  he  was  unexcited  and  re- 
vengeless  as  a  child,  and  seemed  far  more  to  mourn  for  the 
faults  of  others,  as  they  would  affect  the  characters  and  inte- 
rests of  those  who  were  guilty  of  them,  than  as  they  were 
likely  to  bear  upon  his  own.  Amidst  whatever  excitement, 
he  still  moved  quietly  along;  and  though  waves  dashed 
roughly  around  him,  his  frail  bark  surmounted  their  power 
and  remained  secure. 

The  candour  and  kindness  of  his  spirit  were  particularly 
manifest  in  his  ecclesiastical  and  religious  connexions.  In  his 
varied  intercourse  with  the  people  of  his  charge,  many  cir- 
cumstances are  present  to  the  minds  of  all,  as  beautiful  illus- 
trations of  this  distinguishing  excellence.  One  of  them, 
who  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him,  thus  writes : — 

"  It  was  his  constant  desire  to  cultivate  among  those  la- 
bouring in  the  same  cause,  a  spirit  of  union  and  brotherly 
kindness  ;  all  who  attended  the  teachers'  meetings,  can 
testify  how  admirably  he  was  calculated  to  render  them 
interesting,  to  soften  any  exhibitions  of  in)patience  or 
asperity,  by  his  own  mild  and  gentle  manners ;  to  diffuse  a 
tranquillizing  spirit  all  around,  and  to  bear  patiently  with  the 
infirmities  and  prejudices  of  others. 

"  I  well  remember  how  pleasantly  and  happily  he  could 
give  another  turn  to  remarks  which  might  have  created 
unfriendly  feelings  ;  and  how  delicately  he  reproved,  on  one 
occasion,  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  expressions  of  feelings 


286  MEMOIR    OF 

which  he  deemed  inconsistent  with  the  meekness  of  Chris- 
tian humility,  by  giving  out  the  hymn  commencing  thus : — 

'  Whene'er  the  angry  passions  rise, 

And  tempt  my  thoughts  and  words  to  strife, 

To  Jesus  let  me  lift  my  eyes; 
Bright  pattern  of  a  Christian  life.' 

"  How  beautifully  and  strikingly  did  he  unite  '  the  wisdom 
of  the  serpent  with  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  ;'  and  how 
bright  the  example  which  he  habitually  set  before  us,  of  the 
charity  of  the  gospel.  This  same  principle  expanded  itself 
in  the  forgiveness  of  injuries ;  it  was  always  his  desire  to 
cultivate  among  his  flock,  not  only  by  precept,  but  by  ex- 
ample, this  lively  Christian  grace.  I  remember  one  delight- 
ful instance,  where  he  showed  how  fully  he  had  triumphed 
over  every  feeUng  of  resentment.  I  heard  him  administer  a 
reproof  to  a  female  communicant  for  what  he  considered  a 
deficiency  in  the  Christian  law  of  love  ;  at  the  same  time, 
in  the  presence  of  many  others,  with  the  most  child-like 
simplicity,  acknowledging  himself  to  have  been  tempted  by 
the  same  feelings ;  but  having  overcome  them  all,  pointed  out 
to  her  the  w^ay  of  duty.  The  circumstances  were  as  follows  : 
An  individual  was  coming  the  next  day  to  administer  the 
communion  whom  the  lady  thought  had  recently  insulted  her 
pastor,  and  whom,  for  other  reasons,  she  felt  averse  to ;  but 
although  this  was  the  truth,  he  would  not  satisfy  her  inter- 
rogations, or  encourage  her  to  stay  away  from  the  Lord's 
table  on  that  account,  but  with  the  utmost  plainness  and  sin- 
cerity warned  her  of  the  temptation,  and  advised  her  to  retire 
to  her  closet,  and  there  to  pray  until  all  such  feelings  were 
removed ;  teUing  her  also,  the  true  source  from  whence  all 
such  prejudices  proceeded." 

In  his  relations  to  Christians  of  other  denominations,  he 
was  never  bigoted  or  exclusive  in  his  feehngs.     His  unhesi- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  287 

tating  convictions  of  truth  and  duty,  and  the  warmest 
affections  of  his  heart,  bound  him  indeed  to  the  Church  in 
which  he  was  a  minister,  and  towards  the  extending  of  which, 
few  of  his  cotemporaries  have  done  more  than  himself.  He 
had  seldom,  however,  preached  in  Philadelphia,  upon  what 
are  termed  the  "  distinctive  principles"  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  finding  so  much  more  pressing  calls  for  his  time  and 
efforts  in  teaching  the  great  principles  of  the  gospel  which 
are  indispensable  to  man's  salvation,  and  desiring  first  to 
build  up  his  people  in  the  acceptance  and  love  of  these.  In 
omitting  to  such  an  extent  the  discussion  of  the  principles 
which  separate  the  Episcopal  Church  in  profession  from 
other  denominations  of  Christians,  he  has  been  considered, 
by  many  of  his  brethren,  to  have  erred  in  judgment.  Con- 
sidering the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed  by  the 
providence  of  God,  this  is  not  a  correct  conclusion.  That 
the  time,  however,  had  come  when  a  more  decided  exhibition 
of  these  points  of  distinction  might  have  been  desirable, 
when  his  own  health  failed  and  his  ministry  closed,  I  have 
no  doubt.  And  this  seems  to  have  been,  at  that  time,  his 
own  impression  and  plan,  for  he  had  commenced  a  course 
of  sermons  upon  this  class  of  subjects,  which  his  failing 
health  never  allowed  him  to  deliver  or  to  complete.  He  re- 
ferred to  this  fact  in  a  conversation  with  one  of  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  at  Bedford,  but  a  few  weeks  before  his  death. 
That  gentleman  thus  relates  it  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Bedell : — 

"The  conversation  was  quite  free,  and  turned  upon  the 
state  of  our  Church  separately  considered,  and  as  it  stood  in 
relation  to  other  denominations  of  Christendom.  He  ob- 
served, that  the  situation  of  the  latter  was  critical  and 
alarming;  that  they  were  riven  and  distracted,  and  in  a  state 
of  anarchy,  division  and  degeneracy  ;  and  that  their  internal 
constitution  and  character  did  not  offer  promise  of  their  im- 
proving and  growing  better.     He  thought  that  EpiscopaUans 


288  MEMOIR   OF 

had  the  strongest  reasons  for  loving  and  advocating  their 
Church,  but  more  especially  had  cause  to  be  harmonious  and 
united ;  that  the  matters  which  had  hitherto  been  the  occa- 
sion of  bickerings  and  misunderstandings  should  be  passed 
over  and  forgotten  ;  and  our  united  aim  and  effort  should  be, 
to  preach  Christ  and  extend  the  Church.  He  said,  like 
many  who  thought  and  acted  with  him,  he  had  for  years  said 
little  on  the  peculiarities  of  our  Church,  but  the  period  had 
arrived  when  they  should  be  taught  and  preached.  While 
many  in  their  preaching  had  given  them  too  much  promi- 
nency, he  had  given  them  too  little ;  but  the  state  of  the 
times  seemed  to  require  it.  These  had  now  changed  for  the 
better,  and  the  same  foundation  for  difference  did  not  exist. 
He  then  added,  very  emphatically,  '  If  God  spares  my  life,  I 
intend  delivering  a  course  of  sermons  on  Episcopacy  this 
coming  winter.'  This  course,  he  informed  me,  he  had  then 
in  preparation. 

"You  will  recollect  these  remarks  and  many  others  on 
the  same  subject.  I  have  given  them  as  nearly  in  his  own 
language  as  I  could  remember." 

Such  a  course  of  sermons  from  his  pen  would  have  been 
particularly  valuable  to  the  Church ;  though  I  cannot  at  all 
concur  in  the  opinion,  that  he  had  been  deficient  in  his  duty 
in  this  respect.  As  certainly  as  it  is  our  duty  to  declare  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  I  concede  it  is  our  duty  to  declare 
the  doctrines  of  the  Scripture  in  regard  to  the  Church  of 
Christ.  This  he  had  done,  on  frequent  occasions,  to  a  suf- 
ficient extent,  as  he  supposed,  and  as  others  around  him  sup- 
posed. But  the  duty  to  do  this,  is  not  more  certain  than  the 
fact,  that  the  Church  has  been  much  injured  by  the  frequent 
indiscreet  and  unjust  exaltation  of  her  inferior  peculiarities, 
among  or  above,  the  greater  matters  of  the  gospel.  In  this 
respect,  I  should  desire  every  man  to  follow  his  own  convic- 
tion of  duty.     But  had  Dr.  Bedell's  ministry  in  this  respect, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  289 

differed  from  what  it  was,  it  would  have  been,  I  conceive, 
much  less  useful  to  the  souls  of  men,  and  much  less  efficient 
in  building  up  the  Church  itself,  than  it  has  been.  In  our 
present  state  of  harmony  and  union,  there  is  upon  this  sub- 
ject no  controversy.  All  are  apparently  united  in  the  plan 
to  "  speak  concerning-  Christ  and  the  Church."  And  the 
number  is  on  all  sides  increasing  among  us,  of  those  who, 
like  Dr.  Bedell,  are  determined  in  the  comparison  between 
the  two,  "to  know  nothing  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  cru- 
cified." 

Dr.  Bedell  ministered  at  a  time  when  not  only  Christians  of 
different  denominations  have  had  serious  subjects  of  discus- 
sion with  each  other,  but  also  when  within  the  limits  of  the 
Church  of  which  he  was  a  minister,  there  have  been  very 
prominent  and  marked  divisions  of  counsel  and  judgment. 
It  is  generally  remarked,  that  the  more  intimate  has  been  the 
previous  connexion  which  has  united  those  subsequently  dis- 
senting, the  stronger  and  the  more  alienated  is  likely  to  be- 
come their  reciprocal  feeling  after  they  have  disagreed.  This 
was  never  the  fact  with  Dr.  Bedell.  No  man  could  be  more 
free  from  that  which  is  scornfully  termed  the  "Odium  Theo- 
logicum."  He  contended  with  steadfastness,  but  with  meek- 
ness, for  what  he  tliought  important  principles  of  truth,  but 
he  contended  for  nothing  else.  He  delighted  too,  to  be  still 
the  minister  of  grace  and  kindness  to  those  from  whom  he 
differed ;  and  advocated  and  encouraged  every  effort  for  the 
good  of  souls,  by  whomsoever  it  was  originated  and  directed. 
In  all  the  trials  through  which  the  Episcopal  Church  passed 
in  the  time  during  which  he  ministered  in  it,  Dr.  Bedell  was 
uniformly  a  peace-maker,  and  all  his  desires  and  efforts  were 
on  the  side  of  harmony,  mutual  concession,  and  love.  Better 
evidence  of  this  fact  could  hardly  be  given,  than  in  some  ex- 
tracts from  the  Philadelphia  Recorder,  a  paper  of  Avhich  he 
was  the  editor,  during  the  time  of  the  most  serious  division 
which  perhaps  has  ever  marked  any  portion  of  the  Episco- 

Bb 


290  MEMOIROF 

pal  Church  in  the  United  States  ;  the  subject  of  which  was 
the  election  of  an  Assistant  Bishop  for  the  diocese  of  Penn- 
sylvania. I  refer  to  this  question  and  the  feeling  which  it 
excited,  simply  to  display  the  unvarying  kindness  and  dispo- 
sition for  peace,  by  which  the  subject  of  the  present  memoir 
was  distinguished,  even  in  this  most  exciting  and  trying  sea- 
son, in  all  his  ecclesiastical  relations.  Previously  to  the 
meeting  of  the  Diocesan  Convention,  in  which  this  agitating 
question  was  to  be  settled,  he  thus  wrote  under  the  editorial 
head  of  the  Recorder  May  5,  1827: — 

"  Convention, — In  the  course  of  the  next  week  the  Annual 
Convention  of  this  diocese  will  be  assembled  at  Harrisburg. 
The  friends  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Pennsylvania  have 
long  watched  the  preparations  that  have  been  making  for  this 
event.  It  is  evident  that  each  party  is  acting  upon  principle ; 
that  each  considers  the  prosperity  of  the  Church  and  of  reli- 
gion intimately  connected  with  the  success  of  its  exertions, 
and  that  they  will  repair  to  the  place  of  their  assembling 
with  a  determination  to  use  all  lawful  means  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  purposes  which  must  to  each  appear  immea- 
surably important.  Nor  do  we  see  in  this  any  thing  to  ex- 
cite surprise  or  occasion  censure.  Such  are  the  infirmities 
of  human  nature,  that  large  bodies  of  men  can  never  be  ex- 
pected to  unite  harmoniously  in  all  their  sentiments  on  any 
subject,  however  simple  and  elementary.  Although  the 
fact  may  be  attended  with  inconvenience,  and  on  some 
accounts,  perhaps,  be  a  source  of  very  legitimate  regret ;  yet 
it  ought  to  be  made  productive  of  some  good.  It  should 
teach  us  moderation  and  humility  ;  humility  as  it  respects 
our  own  tendency  to  err,  and  moderation  in  reference  to  the 
sentiments  of  others.  The  lesson  which  it  presents  to  such 
as  are  subordinate  in  life,  is  that  of  modest  respect  for  the 
opinions  of  those  who  are  superior*  To  superiors  it  must 
ever  hold  out  a  solemn  warning  against  the  danger  of  press- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  291 

ing  too  hard  upon  those  minor  peculiarities  in  which  men 
rnay  always  be  expected  conscientiously  to  differ  from  each 
other. 

"The  dissensions  by  which  this  diocese  has  been  more 
recently  excited,  have  occasioned  sincere  regret  in  all  the 
lovers  of  harmony  and  peace." 

"  We  sincerely  hope  that  the  Convention  which  is  about 
assembling  at  Harrisburg,  will  settle  all  our  controversies, 
and  produce  harmony  amongst  us.  There  can  be  no  pros- 
pect of  this  until  the  Assistant  Bishop  shall  be  elected.  So 
long  as  the  strength  of  the  diocese  remains  thus  equally  di- 
vided by  an  object  which  each  party  flatters  itself  with  the 
expectation  of  being  able  to  obtain,  we  shall  be  constantly 
harassed  by  the  pamphleteering  explosions  with  which  all 
who  love  decency  and  order  have  of  late  been  so  excessively 
annoyed.  It  is  far  better — ^better  for  the  Church  and  better 
for  the  world  around  her ;  better  for  those  who  shall  be  dis- 
appointed in  the  contest,  as  well  as  for  those  who  may  be 
destined  to  succeed,  that  the  thing  should  at  once  be  definitely 
settled. 

"  We  hope  then,  that  our  brethren  will  repair  to  the  place 
appointed,  with  spirits  entirely  composed.  Let  their  work 
be  commenced  at  a  throne  of  grace.  Let  them  go  to  it  like 
men  who  feel  that  Providence  has  called  them  to  parti- 
cipate in  the  most  important  transaction  which  has  ever  taken 
place  in  the  American  Episcopal  Church  ;  that  the  destiny 
of  immortal  souls, — thousands  who  surround  them  now,  and 
millions  who  are  yet  unborn,  have  probably  been  suspended 
on  the  proceedings  of  that  assembly.  And  while  their 
minds  shall  be  overshadowed  by  these  solemn  thoughts, 
their  deliberations  will  be  characterized  by  a  fearless  modera- 
tion, a  chastened  firmness,  a  dignified  composure,  which  be- 
come those  on  whom  such  elevated  responsibihties  have 
devolved.  Let  all  unkindness  towards  the  brethren  with 
whom  they  differ  be  banished  from  their  bosoms.     Let  all 


292  MEMOIROF 

harsh  and  violent  expressions  be  at  once  discountenanced. 
They  are  both  unworthy  of  men  who  are  engaged  in  a  cause 
so  holy ;  and  whose  duty  as  well  as  interest  it  is  to  march 
forward  with  a  serene  and  steady  purpose  to  the  consum- 
mation of  their  hopes.  Let  the  friends  of  the  gospel  who 
are  spectators  of  this  contest  be  every  where  engaged  in  fre- 
quent and  fervent  supplication  to  Him  who  ruleth  the  hearts 
of  men,  that  his  truth  may  prosper,  and  '  his  will  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.'  " 

The  result  of  this  Convention  was  adverse  to  the  views 
and  wishes  of  Dr.  Bedell.  His  meek  and  Christian  spirit, 
however,  immediately  accorded  with  the  manifest  will  of 
God,  and  entered  upon  a  course  of  conciliating  conduct,  from 
which  he  was  never  known  subsequently  to  swerve.  In  the 
Recorder  of  the  week  subsequent  to  the  Convention,  he 
says : — 

"  Our  readers,  no  doubt,  expect  that  we  should  give  a  de- 
tailed account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  late  Convention  at 
Harrisburg ;  and  we  regret  to  state,  that  their  reasonable  ex- 
pectations will,  in  some  measure,  be  disappointed.  By  an 
afflictive  dispensation  of  Providence,  under  which  we  had 
been  suffering  for  the  last  four  weeks,  we  were  prevented 
from  taking  any  active  part  whatever  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  Convention  ;  and  as  we  attended  none  of  the  preparatory 
meetings,  and  were  but  twice  in  the  Convention  itself,  it  is 
impossible  that  from  our  personal  observation  we  should  say 
any  thing. 

*'  Our  readers  are  of  course  aware,  that  the  question  of  an 
Assistant  Bishop  terminated  in  the  election  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  U.  Onderdonk,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  The  question 
is  settled ;  and  after  a  quiet  statement  of  the  case,  it  becomes 
the  portion  of  the  clergy  and  laity  defeated,  to  submit.  As 
it  regards  the  result  of  the  election,  we  find  ourselves  per- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  293 

sonally  placed  in  circumstances  of  some  delicacy,  as  we 
have  been  for  many  years  in  habits  of  intimacy  with  the 
newly-elected  assistant,  and  have  always  entertained  senti- 
ments towards  him  of  great  respect.  While  then,  we  deeply 
and  sincerely  regret  the  election  brought  about  under  such 
circumstances,  we  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that 
our  objection  is  to  the  manner  in  which  the  election  was  ac- 
complished. This  we  speak  in  our  own  name,  wishing  to 
guard  our  readers  against  any  opinion  that  we  are  in  the  least 
degree  acting  as  the  organ  of  our  brethren.  What  views 
they  may  generally  entertain  on  any  of  these  matters,  we 
have  not  learned,  neither  has  the  state  of  our  health  been 
such  as  to  enable  us  to  make  inquiry. 

"  That  the  diocese  is  most  lamentably  divided,  none  can 
question :  and  that  none  but  a  person  of  the  most  conciliat- 
ing qualities  can  expect  to  heal  the  divisions,  is  a  matter  be- 
yond all  doubt.  We  have  heard  that  it  was  remarked  by 
Bishop  Hobart,  who  was  on  a  visit  in  Lancaster,  during  the 
session  of  the  Convention  in  Harrisburg,  that  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Onderdonk  was  a  person  well  qualified  to  produce  this  de- 
sirable object.  From  the  long  and  intimate  connexion  which 
has  existed  between  Bishop  Hobart  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Onder- 
donk, we  apprehend  that  he  is  one  of  the  best  judges  on  this 
subject,  and  that  his  opinion  is  deserving  of  the  greatest 
weight.  A  mild  and  conciliating  course  is  the  only  one  to 
be  pursued  likely  to  produce  any  thing  but  discontent  and 
opposition.  That  a  mild  and  conciliating  course  my  be  pur- 
sued, is  our  earnest  wish  and  prayer." 

*  *  *  *  "  After  this,  we  hope  to  be  enabled  to  settle  down 
in  quietness.  The  one  party  have  accomplished  their  ob- 
ject— the  other  are  defeated.  We  look  upon  the  reverse 
with  which  the  Evangelical  cause  has  met,  as  one  calling  for 
submission  and  humiliation  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God. 
As  to  the  ultimate  success  of  the  cause,  we  have  not  the 

shadow  of  a  doubt.     We  would  not  have  identified  ourselves 

Bb2 


294  MEMOIR   OF 

with  it,  but  on  grounds  of  the  clearest  conviction,  and  we 
have  observed  nothing  in  the  history  of  the  Church  for  the 
last  ten  years,  but  what  confirms  us  in  the  opinion  that  the 
advancement  of  that  cause  cannot  be  materially  retarded. 
Our  counsel  is,  that  our  friends  be  quiet  and  submissive 
under  the  dispensation,  looking  upon  it  as  one  of  those  pro- 
vidences, the  reason  of  which  we  cannot  see,  but  the  result 
of  which  cannot  be  otherwise  than  good,  for  '  God  reigns.' 
Controversy  we  wish  to  avoid.  In  all  this  turmoil  which 
has  distracted  the  diocese,  and  the  whole  effect  of  which  has 
been  injurious,  we  have  permitted  ourselves  to  have  but  little 
concern,  and  to  have  as  little  to  do  as  possible  with  the  con- 
troversy now,  is  our  determination." 

It  is  not  my  province  to  express  any  judgment  whatever 
upon  the  subject  of  this  painful  division  in  the  Church.  But 
it  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting  to  every  Christian  to  see  the 
spirit  of  uniform  candour  and  kindness  in  the  midst  of  all  its 
exciting  circumstances,  which  was  displayed  by  one  who 
was  placed,  by  the  providence  of  God,  so  prominently  before 
the  public  eye  as  was  Dr.  Bedell.  In  connexion  with  the 
above  extracts,  I  subjoin  a  letter  of  his  to  Mr.  Henderson, 
in  reference  to  the  Convention  of  the  diocese  of  Pennsylva- 
nia in  1829,  which  displays  on  a  subsequent  occasion  con- 
nected with  the  same  circumstances,  the  same  delightful 
spirit  in  him. 

"Philadelphia,  May  26,  1829. 
"My  Dear  Friend, — 

"  I  have  so  much  to  say,  that  I  hardly  know  where  to 
begin  ;  and  when  I  once  begin,  I  can  hardly  conceive  where 
I  shall  be  able  to  stop.  Our  Convention,  which  of  course 
must  be  the  prominent  topic,  lasted  until  Saturday,  and  to  the 
amazement  of  all,  and  the  gratification  of  those  wishing  best 
to  the  interest  of  the  Church,  ended  with  a  cessation  of  hos- 


REV.     DR.    BEDELL. 


295 


tilities,  and  I  trust  the  commencement  of  a  reign  of  peace, 
at  least  for  some  time.  The  whole  course  of  the  conven- 
tional proceedings  seemed  to  be  remarkably  controlled  by 
the  providence  of  God ;  and  the  part  which  I  acted  towards 
conciliation,  seemed  rather  dictated  to  me  by  that  Providence, 
than  to  be  any  impulse  of  my  own.  In  relation  to  my  own 
course  of  conduct,  seeing  a  disposition  like  conciliation,  I 
determined  to  contribute  my  share  towards  so  auspicious  a 
result,  and  for  this  purpose  offered  a  resolution  relating 
to  the  General  Missionary  Society.  I  will  give  you  the 
substance,  and  I  believe  mostly  the  very  words  which  I 
used. 

"  On  offering  the  resolution,  I  said,  'I  have  two  reasons 
for  offering  this  resolution.  1.  Because  I  feel  as  if  I  had 
not  discharged  my  duty  to  the  General  Missionary  Society. 
It  is  true  that  I  have  been  withheld  from  this  by  the  confess- 
ed defects  in  its  organization,  which,  in  my  opinion,  had  a 
tendency  to  neutralize  all  its  usefulness.  But  the  spirit  mani- 
fested at  the  late  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
and  the  nature  of  the  alterations  then  proposed,  have  satisfied 
my  mind ;  and  while  this  state  of  things  exists,  I  shall  give 
it  my  cordial  support. 

"  '  My  second  reason,  Mr.  President,  is,  because  I  wish 
to  see  that  pleasant  sight,  not  witnessed  in  this  Convention 
for  the  last  three  years,  an  unanimous  vote.  I  wish  to  see  a 
question  taken  in  which  party  can  have  no  concern.  I  am 
free  to  confess  for  myself  that  I  have  acted  as  a  party-man. 
If  I  could  think  of  the  individual  in  this  Convention  who 
had  not,  I  should  look  upon  him  as  one  raised  above  the  or- 
dinary infirmities  of  humanity.  I  mean  to  make  no  impu- 
tations ;  but  I  must  be  permitted  to  recall  to  the  memory  of 
the  Convention, the  saying  of  our  Saviour,  'Those  eighteen 
upon  whom  the  tower  of  Siloam  fell  and  slew  them,  think 
ye  that  they  were  sinners  above  all  that  dwelt  in  Jerusalem  V 
And  I  would  be  permitted  to  add  this  remark  and  exliorta- 


296  MEMOIR   OF 

tion,  '  I  tell  you  nay,  but  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  like- 
wise perish.' 

"  *  To  low  Church  principles  I  ever  must  and  I  ever  hope 
to  be  attached,  and  to  maintain  them  through  evil  and 
through  good  report.  But  maintaining  these  principles,  I 
hope  hereafter  to  be  able  to  do  it  not  as  a  party-man.  I 
have  felt  the  evil  of  this  thing  in  the  overthrow  of  Christian 
charity.  I  believe  that  the  cause  of  religion  has  been  injured, 
and  so  far  as  I  have  in  any  wise  been  concerned,  I  deplore 
it.  If  in  the  heat  of  party  controversy  I  have  said  or  written 
any  thing  which  has  wounded  the  feelings,  or  been  injurious 
to  any  one,  I  ask  that  it  may  be  attributed  to  the  heat  of 
party  controversy,  and  this  expression  of  regret  be  received 
in  the  spirit  in  which  it  is  tendered. 

" '  I  hope.  Sir,  that  no  evil  construction  will  be  put  upon 
these  remarks.  If  any  clergyman  in  this  city  can  stand  in 
an  independent  situation,  I  feel  that  I  am  entitled  so  to  stand. 
With  an  undivided  congregation,  such  as  statedly  worships 
in  this  Church,*  and  ivhich,  with  an  almost  unparalleled  af- 

*  "  The  Convention  was  held  in  St.  Andrew's  Church.  In  regard  to 
the  harmony  of  this  congregation,  Dr.  Bedell  says,  in  his  anniversary 
sermon,  already  repeatedly  quoted  :  '  We  have  reason  to  say,  "  Hither- 
to hath  the  Lord  helped  us,"  when  we  consider  the  fact,  that  there  has 
been  an  unbroken  harmony  in  all  the  departments  of  our  Church. 
There  never  yet  has  been  a  question  which  has  divided  the  rector  and 
the  vestry,  the  vestry  and  the  congregation,  or  the  congregation  itself. 
Even  in  that  disastrous  time  of  high  excitement  which  was  connected 
with  the  election  of  an  Assistant  Bishop,  though  there  were  differ- 
ences of  opinion  between  some  few,  there  were  no  alienations  of  af- 
fection, except  in  the  case  of  one  or  two  individuals,  and  on  the  whole, 
where  it  could  have  been  but  little  expected,  we  exhibited  the  spectacle 
of  a  very  strikingly  united  congregation ;  so  much  so,  that  your  min- 
ister remembers  at  the  Convention  held  in  this  Church,  when  the 
matters  in  controversy  were  happily  adjusted,  he  was  enabled  to  state 
in  a  public  address  before  that  body,  that  for  the  three  years  of  trouble 
in  which  we  had  been  involved,  he  had  been  sustained  by  the  affection 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  297 

fection,  have  clung  to  me  through  the  perils,  and  dangers, 
and  reproaches  of  the  last  three  years,  while  God  shall  bless 
me,  I  fear  no  man' s  frown^  and  I  ask  no  man's  -patronage. 
But,  Sir,  were  my  circumstances  different,  I  should  pursue 
the  same  course,  and  make  the  same  avowal.  What  I  say 
is  the  genuine  dictate  of  my  feelings  ;  and  while  I  mean,  by 
the  help  of  God,  to  maintain  my  principles,  I  am  ready  to 
make  almost  any  sacrifice  to  win  back  to  this  distracted 
diocese  the  angel  charity,  so  that  reproach  may  no  longer  be 
poured  on  the  cause  which  I  hope  we  all  love,  though  with 
differences  of  opinion  as  to  the  best  course  by  wliich  that 
cause  is  to  be  advanced.  Let  those  differences  be  entertain- 
ed, they  need  not  destroy  Christian  love.  It  is  with  this 
spirit.  Sir,  that  I  submit  this  resolution.  As  I  shall  vote  on 
it  divested  of  all  party  feelings,  so  may  all ;  and  I  hope 
hereafter  for  one  to  be  able  to  maintain  the  same  elevated 
ground,  and  only  bear  my  part  in  the  legislation  of  the  dio- 
cese under  the  influence  of  the  motto,  Pro  Deo,  pro  ecclesia, 
pro  hominum  salute.^ 

"  You  can  hardly  imagine  the  sensation  made  by  this  ad- 
dress. Tears  were  abundant,  and  pleasure  apparently 
universal.  Montgomery  seconded  my  resolution,  and  fol- 
lowed by  a  speech  of  the  same  import.  He  afterwards  came 
and   took  me   by  the   hand,  almost  without  the   power  of 

speaking God  grant  that  the  harmony  may  be 

perfect  and  permanent ! 

of  an  united  congregation.  So  far  as  the  congregation  itself  is  con- 
cerned, no  questions  of  collision,  to  his  knowledge,  have  ever  arisen. 
If  in  any  departments  of  our  extended  organization,  differences  of 
opinion  on  points  of  policy  connected  with  the  Church,  have  been 
found  to  exist,  they  have  always  given  way  to  a  desire  for  the  general 
benefit  and  the  will  of  the  majority.  He  does  not  know  that  there  is 
at  this  moment  any  question  existing  which  is  calculated  to  interrupt 
the  general  harmony.  In  these  respects  the  Lord  has  wonderfully 
helped  us." 


298  MEMOIR  OF 

"I  am  now  greatly  fatigued  by  writing,  and  I  shall 
close."   .  .  . 

The  only  remaining  occasion  on  which  he  ever  spoke  in 
the  Convention  was  in  1834,  but  three  months  before  his  de- 
parture. He  had  been  unjustly  and  unkindly  accused  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopalian,  a  periodical  paper,  of  being  governed 
by  a  party  spirit,  in  contradiction  to  his  former  professed  deter- 
minations, in  his  efforts  for  the  establishment  of  Bristol  College. 
Though  he  had  been  manifestly  sinking  in  health  for  some 
months,  and  at  this  time  was  by  medical  direction  confined  to 
his  house,  he  resolved  at  any  sacrifice  of  personal  comfort,  to 
throw  off  from  his  character  this  unfounded  imputation.  I  wit- 
nessed the  solicitude  with  which  his  family  entreated  him  to 
remain  at  home,  and  the  earnest  determination  with  which  their 
solicitations  were  resisted.  I  saw  him  also  as  he  advanced 
slowly  and  feebly  from  a  pew  in  St.  Andrew's  Church  in 
which  the  Convention  was  assembled,  to  the  chancel,  and 
with  a  countenance  pallid  as  death,  with  hardly  strength  to 
stand  upon  the  floor,  but  with  a  thrilling  and  earnest  manner, 
addressed  himself  to  the  Convention.  He  offered  a  resolu- 
tion of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Montgomery, 
Rector  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  Philadelphia,  referred  to 
in  the  preceding  letter,  who  had  deceased  but  two  months 
previous.  He  alluded  to  his  address,  made  on  the  very  spot 
on  which  he  then  stood,  five  years  before,  in  support  of  a 
resolution  which  Dr.  M.  had  seconded ;  to  the  pledge  of 
conciliation  and  peace  which  he  had  then  given ;  and 
solemnly  declared  that  his  feelings  were  still  the  same,  and 
that  in  no  plan  or  action  had  he  ever  deviated  from  the  course 
which  he  then  marked  out  for  himself.  His  strength  and 
voice  failed,  and  he  was  unable  to  finish  the  statement  which 
he  was  desirous  of  making,  and  closing  abruptly  his  brief 
address,  he  immediately  left  the  house  to  see  his  brethren 
thus  assembled  no  more.     His  last  effort  in  the  affairs  of  the 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  299 

Church,  was  what  all  his  previous  exertions  had  been,  for 
the  promotion  of  kindness,  harmony,  and  peace.  O  that 
he  might  be  imitated  in  this  lovely  trait  by  all  who  survive 
him  !  When  shall  the  time  arrive,  that  Christians,  with 
united  feeling  and  mutual  confidence,  shall  devote  to  the 
common  cause  of  truth  against  error  and  sin,  the  time  and 
power  which  they  now  waste  in  watching  and  guarding 
against  the  suicidal  conflicts  of  partisan  warfare  ?  This  dear 
brother  in  Christ,  has  found  in  heaven  the  harmony  which 
he  laboured  so  much  to  produce  upon  the  earth.  And  how 
does  that  one  song,  one  company,  and  one  service,  put  to 
shame  the  fretful  collisions  of  fallen  men  !  There  is  order 
and  peace  in  heaven  ;  O  that  it  might  be  so  also  upon  the 
earth  ! 

After  the  above  reference  to  Dr.  Montgomery,  the  reader 
will  be  interested  in  the  following  extracts  from  a  sermon  of 
Dr.  Bedell's,  preached  on  the  23d  of  March  1834,  the  Sun- 
day after  the  funeral  of  Dr.  M.  A  few  months  afterward, 
his  own  race  was  finished,  and  both,  it  is  hoped,  have 
entered  together  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord. 

"  It  is  right  and  proper,  that  on  this  occasion,  I  should  at 
least  briefly  allude  to  the  circumstance  of  a  death  which  last 
week  separated  all  the  earthly  ties  which  had  united  a  pastor 
to  his  people.  There  are  several  peculiar  reasons  why  it  is 
becoming  in  7ne  to  off*er  some  few  remarks  on  the  melan- 
choly subject  to  which  I  allude.  The  Church  over  which 
my  deceased  brother  was  called  to  preside,  started  into  being 
at  the  same  time  as  that  in  which  we  are  now  assembled. 
My  departed  brother  and  myself  commenced,  as  it  were,  our 
course  together ;  and  under  the  smiles  of  the  same  benignant 
Providence,  the  Churches  have  grown  together  both  to  condi- 
tions of  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity — the  measure  of 
which  will  be  judged  by  different  people  differently.  It  was 
supposed  in  their  origin,  that  there  was  not  room  for  both, 


300  MEMOIR   OF 

and  consequently  that  neither  would  be  prosperous.  We 
have  lived  to  witness  the  futility  of  this  prophecy,  and  now 
others  are  rising  according  to  the  demand  for  accommodation, 
and  there  is  room  for  more. 

"  It  were  as  unwise  as  it  would  be  useless  to  conceal  the 
fact,  that  on  many  matters  touching  the  subjects  of  ecclesias- 
tical polity  and  policy,  my  departed  brother  and  myself  held 
opinions  somewhat  different  from  each  other.  On  subjects 
touching  the  vital  niatters  connected  with  salvation,  there 
was  not,  I  would  hope,  any  essential  difference.  There  was 
a  difference  in  the  statement  of  gospel  doctrines,  perhaps  not 
affecting  the  essential  matter,  but  only  the  results.  But  even 
in  those  perilous  times  through  which  the  Church  in  this 
diocese  was  compelled  to  pass,  I  am  not  aware  that  there 
was  on  either  side,  a  spirit  of  personal  unkindness  or  re- 
proach. 

"  But  these  things  have  passed  away,  and  for  many  years 
we  have  worked  together  in  the  various  institutions  of  the 
Church ;  and  I  delight  to  bear  my  testimony  to  the  fact  of 
the  zeal,  and  energy,  and  determination  of  purpose  with 
which  he  pursued  the  plans  which  he  deemed  essential  to 
the  prosperity  of  our  Zion.  There  was  an  openness  and 
candour  even  in  his  opposition,  which  could  not  but  excite  the 
most  decided  respect ;  and  there  was  a  warmth  in  his  attach- 
ments, worthy  of  all  admiration.  As  to  his  relations  as  a 
pastor,  I  have  no  means  of  forming  a  judgment ;  but  from 
my  knowledge  of  the  man,  have  no  hesitation  in  believing 
that  they  were  sustained  with  the  same  zeal,  and  energy, 
and  fidelity  of  purpose  which  characterized  all  his  efforts. 
That  he  was  deeply  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  the  people  of  ■ 
his  charge,  I  know ;  for  many  a  time  and  oft  we  have  spoken 
together  on  the  difficulties  and  discouragements  of  the  pas- 
toral office,  and  mourned  over  the  comparatively  small  re- 
sults even  of  the  most  self-sacrificing  labours.  But  I  am  in 
danger  of  going  beyond  the  line  I  had  marked  out.     I  stated 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  301 

that  my  deceased  brother  and  myself  here  started  in  the  race 
together;  his  were  prospects  of  running  that  race  much 
longer  than  I  myself  had  ;  and  especially  for  the  last  six  years, 
who  would  have  supposed  that  his  course  would  have  been 
finished  and  my  feeble  thread  not  yet  quite  run  out  ?  How 
mysterious  are  the  ways  of  God — one  is  taken  and  another 
left.  He  has  gone  to  his  rest,  having  left  a  most  glorious 
testimony  of  his  personal  interest  in  the  salvation  of  the  gos- 
pel ;  and  his  friends  may  well  be  cheered,  for  he  now  sleeps 
in  Jesus.  When  the  will  of  God  shall  be  accomplished,  and 
your  preacher,  my  friends,  shall  be  laid  on  his  bed  of  death, 
may  he  be  enabled  to  bear  a  similar  testimony  to  the  grace  of 
God  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  and  at  the  general  resurrection,  may 
we  be  found  together  among  the  white-robed  throng  of  God's 
elect." 

In  the  private,  domestic  relations  of  Dr.  Bedell,  his  character 
shone  with  inviting  loveliness.  His  children  knew  no  love  to 
any  earthly  object  like  that  which  they  felt  for  their  father,  and 
feared  nothing  so  much  as  a  frown  or  reproof  from  him. 
The  servants  in  his  family  regarded  him  with  peculiar  rever- 
ence, as  something  even  above  the  character  of  man.  In  his 
domestic  circle,  the  peculiar  quality  which  he  exhibited  was 
retired  humility.  He  talked  but  little  habitually,  yet  always 
cheerfully  and  instructively.  He  sat  much  in  silent  study 
around  his  fire-side,  and  was  not  easily  disturbed.  When 
riding  once  with  his  children,  as  he  frequently  did,  after  no 
unusual  silence  on  his  part,  he  remarked  to  them,  "  There, 
my  children,  while  you  have  been  amusing  yourselves  with 
talking,  I  have  prepared  a  sermon  for  my  people,  and  I  shall 
lay  it  away  with  others  in  my  store-house,  till  it  is  conve- 
nient to  write  it  out."  The  interest  which  he  felt  in  his 
children,  especially  in  regard  to  their  most  important  con- 
cerns, was,  like  all  his  other  feelings,  deep  and  operative. 

The  following  extracts  from  some  letters  to  his  only  son, 

c  c 


302  MEMOIR   OF 

then  a  boy  at  the  Flushing  Institute,  will  exhibit  proofs  of 
his  state  of  mind,  as  connected  with  the  permanent  welfare 
of  this  son  : — 

"Philadelphia,  January  12th,  1831. 
"  My  Dear  Son, — 

"  Your  last  letter  afforded  great  gratification  to  your  dear 
mother  and  myself.  We  were  glad  because  you  seem  to  be 
making  good  progress  in  your  studies,  and  above  all,  because 
we  have  some  hopes  that  you  are  striving  to  walk  in  the 
ways  of  God.  Nothing  could  give  your  father  and  mother 
greater  delight,  than  to  know  that  their  beloved  and  only  son 
was  growing  up  to  be  a  child  of  God.  It  would  be  of  little 
consequence  to  us  to  have  you  a  great  or  a  learned  man,  if 
we  should  find  you  careless  about  God,  and  indifferent  to  the 
salvation  of  your  own  soul.  What  we  want  you  to  be,  and 
what  we  most  sincerely  pray  that  you  may  be,  is  a  good 
man,  loving  and  serving  God.  Then  shall  we  be  sure  that 
you  will  be  happy,  both  here  and  hereafter.  I  should  be 
very  much  pleased  if  you  would  write  to  me  on  the  subject 
of  your  feelings  as  to  religion.  Perhaps  I  should  be  able 
to  say  something  that  might  be  of  advantage  to  you.  In  re- 
lation to  all  other  matters,  your  mother,  and  aunt,  and  cousins, 
will  write,  for  they  have  more  time  than  I  have." 

"Philadelphia,  November  1st,  1831. 
"  My  Dear  Son, — 

"  I  have  just  learned  from  Mr.  E.  that  he  is  going  on  to 
Flushing  with  Horace,  and  have  time  only  to  say  a  few 
words.  Your  dear  mother  will  write  somewhat  more  at  length. 
I  am  exceeding  happy  to  find  that  you  reached  the  school 
safely,  and  are  now  once  more  in  your  comfortable  and  con- 
tented situation.  Your  whole  conduct  at  home  afforded  me 
great  gratification,  and  I  shall  be  truly  happy  if  your  great 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  303 

motive  and  desire,  shall  become  the  love  of  God.  Do,  my 
precious  boy,  remember,  that  without  a  change  of  heart  and  a 
true  faith  in  Christ,  there  is  no  happiness  here  or  hereafter, 
and  that  now  is  your  time,  in  your  early  days,  to  begin  to 
live  for  God.     My  respects  to  Mr.  M . 

"  Your  affectionate  Father." 

"Woodlands,  June  16th,  1832. 

"My Dear  Son, — 

"  I  received  your  letter  yesterday,  and  now  that  I  have  a 
few  moments  leisure,  I  sit  down  to  answer  it.  In  the  first 
place,  I  desire  to  put  your  mind  at  rest  as  to  my  own  wishes 
concerning  your  continuance  at  the  Institute.  It  is  my  de- 
liberate opinion,  that  there  is  no  place  in  our  country  in 
which  you  could  be  so  favourably  situated ;  and  if  God  should 
enable  me  to  do  it,  I  wish  to  have  the  gratification  of  seeing 
your  education  thoroughly  accomplished  there.  If  there 
should  be  a  necessity  for  your  going  to  college,  it  is  a  matter, 
which  I  wish  to  put  off"  as  long  as  possible.  In  these  views 
your  dear  mother  most  heartily  joins  me. 

"  Now  I  will  tell  you  how  all  the  family  yesterday  were 
mercifully  preserved.  Just  before  tea,  there  came  up  a  thun- 
der-storm, and  the  house  was  struck  twice,  and  a  large  tree 
also  shivered  to  pieces  within  twenty  feet  of  the  window. 
We  had  just  risen  from  tea  when  the  first  tremendous  crash 
passed  down  the  lightning  rod  on  the  east  end  of  the  house  ; 
the  second  crash,  about  two  minutes  after,  struck  the  tree,  (a 
beautiful  honey-locust,)  and  shivered  it  in  two  streams  from 
top  to  bottom,  throwing  the  bark  for  fifty  yards,  and  break- 
ing seven  large  panes  of  glass,  filling  the  house  with  a  sul- 
phurous smell ;  the  third  crash  passed  down  the  lightning- 
rod  on  the  west  side  of  the  house,  completely  melting  a  new 
platina  point;  yet,  in  God's  mercy,  no  one  was  hurt." 

"I  have  no  doubt  that  you  have  been  very  much  disap- 


304  ^  MEMOIROF 

pointed,  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  pay  you  a  visit  this 
season.  The  state  of  my  health  has  been  the  reason.  I  am 
looking  forward  with  great  pleasure  to  the  period  of  exami- 
nation, when  I  hope  all  the  family  will  be  able  to  be  present. 
After  the  examination,  I  propose  to  take  you,  with  dear 
mother  and  Lilly,  in  the  new  dearborn,  and  travel  about  three 
or  four  weeks.  But  all  these  things  are  contingent.  We 
have  to  say,  '  if  the  Lord  will,  we  will  do  this  or  that.' 

"  I  am  truly  delighted  at  your  advancement,  though  I  do 
not  remember  how  many  degrees  higher  you  now  are  than 
was  mentioned  in  your  last  report.  Do  not  fail  to  pursue 
your  studies  with  the  utmost  assiduity.  Pray  to  God  to 
give  you  both  the  disposition  and  the  ability  to  improve  by 
your  present  advantages.  I  trust  you  are  obeying  the  in- 
junction, '  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteous- 
ness.' 

**  As  to  the  rail-road  to  Germantown,  I  have  not  yet  seen 
it  since  it  was  finished.  I  understand  that  hundreds  ride  on 
it  every  day  ;  but  there  is  a  very  dreadful  profanation  of  the 
Lord's-day,  as  they  keep  the  cars  running  all  the  time." 

"  June  18th. — And  now  I  have  something  else  to  tell  you 
which  I  think  will  be  likely  to  be  very  interesting.  Your 
cousin  has  been  lately  ordained,  and  is  about  to  take  the 
station  of  my  assistant.  He  preached  for  us  yesterday 
morning  and  gave  universal  satisfaction.  He  is  a  remarka- 
bly fine  young  man  and  an  excellent  preacher.  Nothing 
would  be  more  grateful  to  my  feelings  than  the  idea  that  at 
some  future  day  you  would  be  prepared  for  the  high  and 
responsible  duties  of  the  ministry.  But  this  is  a  matter 
which  at  present  I  hardly  dare  to  indulge  myself  in  reflect- 
ing upon,  as  no  one  ought  ever  to  think  upon  the  subject  of 
the  ministry  who  does  not  know  that  he  has  decidedly  given 
himself  up  to  the  love  and  service  of  God.  My  dear  boy, 
what  is  the  state  of  your  heart  at  present  ?  I  know  that 
your  mind  has  been  tender  on  this  subject;  but  very  little 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  305 

has  been  said  in  your  late  letters.  Can  you  enter  into  self- 
examination,  and  persuade  yourself  that  you  have  given 
your  heart  to  God  ?  I  hope  that  you  are  still  deeply 
interested  in  the  concerns  of  serious  personal  religion. 
When  you  write  tell  me  all  about  your  daily  habits  of  reli- 
gion. Do  you  pray  regularly  morning  and  evening?  Do 
you  regularly  read  the  Scriptures  privately  ?  Do  you  love 
to  attend  public  worship  ?  Do  you  go  to  any  prayer-meet- 
ing? Your  parents  will  be  much  more  delighted  to  hear 
something  said  on  these  subjects,  than  on  any  about  which  you 
write  ;  for  their  chief  desire  and  prayer  is,  that  the  Lord  may 
take  you  for  his  child,  and  so  give  you  his  grace  as  that 
your  heart  may  be  completely  devoted  to  him.  Every  night 
and  morning  your  dear  mother  and  myself  in  our  united 
prayers  make  our  beloved  children  the  subjects  of  our  most 
earnest  supplications,  and  I  hope  that  to  our  prayers,  you 
will  add  your  own. 

"I  see  that  I  have  written  you  a  very  long  letter.  Now 
you  must  write  to  me  soon.  We  are  all  well.  Dear  Lilly 
is  skipping  about  like  a  little  lamb,  and  talks  very  much  of 
*  bub.'  I  hope  the  Lord  in  mercy  may  spare  us  all  to  meet 
next  month. 

*'My  respects  to  Mr.  M.,  and  I  remain, 

"Your  affectionate  Father." 

"Philadelphia,  Feb.  1,  1833. 
•'  My  Dear  Son, — 

"  Your  mother,  aunt  and  myself,  were  very  much  de- 
lighted with  your  last  letter,  and  as  I  have  a  few  moments 
leisure  in  consequence  of  the  state  of  the  weather,  I  have 
determined  to  send  you  a  few  lines.  We  are  all  very  much 
gratified  with  the  accounts  we  hear,  and  hope  that  you  will 
be  most  earnest  and  persevering  in  your  studies.  Now  is 
certainly  your  time  to  lay  in  a  stock  of  learning,  which  may 

enable  you,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  follow  some  profes- 

c  c  2 


306  MEMOIR   OF 

sion,  or  otherwise  to  provide  for  your  support  when  arrived 
at  years  when  young  men  take  care  of  themselves.     It  would 
delight  me  beyond  all  measure,  and  it  is  my  earnest  prayer 
to  God,  that  your  mind  may  be  steadily  fixed  upon  the 
ministry  of  the  everlasting  gospel ;  but  this  you  must  not 
touch  till  you  are  thoroughly  convinced  that  you  have  ex- 
perienced a  change  of  heart  and  are  ready  to  dedicate  and 
devote  yourself  entirely  to  the  love  and  service  of  God. 
Much  as  it  would  conduce  to  my  happiness  to  know  that 
your  mind  does  direct  its  attention  to  this  subject,  I  could 
never  consent  to  your  taking  upon  yourself  such  a  responsi- 
bility, unless  upon  a  very  clear  impression  of  a  call  from 
God,  and  a  thorough  spiritual  qualification.     There  is  one 
way,  my  darling  son,  of  settling  every  matter  which  may 
concern  your  future  life,  and  it  is  by  never  resting  satisfied 
till  you  have  entirely  given  up  your  heart  to  the  precious 
Saviour,  and  this  is  essential  to  your  present  happiness,  no 
matter  to  what  condition  of  life  you  may  direct  your  atten- 
tion ;  and  this  is  essential  to  every  hope  of  future  happiness. 
Persevere,  my  dear  boy,  in  the  discharge  of  your  religious 
duties,  but  do  not  rest  satisfied  with  the  mere  discharge  of 
duties.     Unless  the  heart  is  given  to  God,  there  is  no  delight 
and  no  profit  in  religious  duties.     You  state,  in  your  letter 
to  your  dear  mother,  that  you  are  troubled  with  wandering 
thoughts.     Do  you  strive  and  pray  against  these?     Remem- 
ber there  is  no  sin  in  the  mere  fact  of  being  tempted,  but 
there  is  sin  in   yielding  to  temptation.     Try  to  fix  your 
thoughts  ;  pray  earnestly  that  God  would  be  with  you  to 
arrest  your  thoughts.     But  never  be  discouraged ;  go  on,  and 
if  your  heart  is  right  with  God,  you  will  find  that  you  shall 
eventually  succeed.     Our   family  news  is  very  scarce.     I 
have  been  somewhat  better  this  winter,  most  probably  owing 
to  the  mild  character  of  the  season.     Your  dear  little  sister 
also,  I  think,  is  in  better  health.     I  believe  she  has  written 
you  a  line.     I  have  preached  a  sermon  to  young  men  which 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  307 

is  now  publishing,  and  when  it  is  out,  I  will  try  to  send  you 
a  copy.  There  were  no  less  than  twelve  hundred  young 
men  present.  No  females  were  allowed  in  the  body  of  the 
Church.     This  was  last  Sunday  evening. 

"  You  see,  my  darling,  that  I  have  filled  up  the  paper  ;  it 
shows  you  how  much  pleased  I  am  with  your  present  pro- 
gress.    May  the  Lord  bless  and  keep  you. 

"  Your  affectionate  Father." 

Such  a  parent  was  a  peculiar  blessing  to  his  children. 
Around  his  fireside,  harmony  and  love  always  reigned. 
The  religion  of  the  gospel  was  exalted  to  its  due  place  in  his 
domestic  arrangements.  Piety  unfeigned  and  undoubted 
governed  his  most  private  concerns.  And  he  has  departed 
with  every  reasonable  ground  of  hope,  not  only  that  his 
memory,  example,  and  influence  shall  live  after  him,  but 
that  they  whom  God  gave  him,  shall  be  guided  also  to  walk 
in  the  same  steps. 

The  following  letter  to  his  sister,  on  the  death  of  his 
father,  shows  that  this  affectionate  spirit  was  not  confined  in 
its  operation  to  his  more  intimate  circle. 

"  The  intelligence  of  the  death  of  our  dear  aged  father,  has 
just  reached  me.  I  cannot  say  that  I  am  surprised  by  the  intel- 
ligence, for  your  late  letters  have  led  me  to  suppose  that  he 
could  not  long  continue.  It  is  a  source  of  the  richest  conso- 
lation for  us  to  know,  that  our  loss  is  his  eternal  gain  ;  for  I 
think  no  one,  who  is  acquainted  as  you  are,  with  the  tenor 
of  his  life,  and  especially  with  the  continued  devotion  of  his 
latter  years,  can  doubt  of  his  eternal  inheritance  of  glory. 
He  has  exchanged  a  life  of  suffering  for  one  of  enjoyment, 
and  through  the  merits  of  the  Saviour,  in  whom  he  trusted, 
is  now  numbered  among  the  saints  in  glory.  To  you,  my 
dear  sisters,  especially,  the  deprivation  is  great ;  because  his 
infirmities  have  so  long  demanded  your  zealous  and  perse- 


308  MEMOIR   OF 

vering  and  affectionate  attentions,  and  you  will  feel  the  loss 
of  those  employments,  in  which  you  have  been  so  long  en- 
gaged ;  employments  which  derived  all  their  gratification 
from  the  circumstance  that  they  w^ere  directed  to  soothe 
and  soften  the  declining  years  of  a  parent,  bowed  down 
under  the  infirmities  of  age  and  sickness.  Apart  from 
the  mere  feelings  of  nature,  it  is  impossible  for  us  to 
grieve;  for  we  have  known  that  our  father  has  for  more 
than  a  year  had  no  enjoyment  of  life,  and  we  have  his 
own  words  for  it,  that  he  felt  no  fears  of  death ;  we  sorrow 
not,  therefore,  as  those  who  have  no  hope.  Let  it  be  our 
aim  to  seek  an  inheritance  in  the  same  heavenly  kingdom, 
and  then,  when  we  meet  our  father  again,  it  will  be  to  be  no 
more  separated.  It  would  have  been  a  great  source  of  com- 
fort to  me,  could  I  at  least  have  been  able  to  have  attended 
the  funeral,  but  I  was  at  a  distance  from  home,  preaching  in 
the  country,  and  no  letter  could  have  reached  me  in  time. 
I  am  afraid  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  come  to 
you  under  a  week  or  two,  owing  to  my  present  indisposi- 
tion, and  the  cold  change  in  the  weather.  As  to  your  future 
prospects,  give  yourselves  no  uneasiness.  While  God  spares 
my  life,  and  gives  me  the  opportunity  of  providing  for  you, 
you  shall  never  want.  At  this  moment,  if  any  thing  is  ne- 
cessary, call  upon  Mr. ,  and  he  will  furnish  whatever 

you  desire. 

"Your  affectionate  Brother, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

In  connexion  with  Dr.  Bedell's  private  character,  which 
has  been  thus  delineated,  we  ought  not  to  omit  a  notice  of 
his  love  and  his  talents  for  music.  This  contributed  in  a 
high  degree  to  his  own  enjoyment  and  to  the  happiness  of 
others  in  his  house.  Mr.  Henderson  has  so  well  described 
this  power  in  his  friend,  in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter 
from  him  to  the  editor,  that  it  may  be  unnecessary  to  do 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  309 

more  than  to  present  his  language  as  a  description  of  what 
he  had  himself  for  so  long  a  time  seen  and  known. 

*'  Dr.  Bedell,  it  is  well  known,  was  remarkably  fond  of 
music.  It  formed  indeed  the  principal  recreation  of  his  leisure 
hours.  Being  in  possession  of  a  very  superior  parlour  organ, 
he  was  able  at  all  times  to  indulge  his  taste.  But  in  this,  as 
in  every  thing  else,  his  aim  was  to  glorify  his  Father  in  hea- 
ven. Music  he  ever  regarded  as  the  hand-maid  of  religion. 
No  one  regretted  more  deeply  its  unholy  alliance  with  the 
vanities  of  a  sinful  world,  as  it  appeared  in  many  of  the 
fashionable  songs  of  the  day :  and  it  was  ever  an  important 
object  with  him  to  sever  this  unnatural  union. 

"  As  an  evidence  of  the  interest  that  he  felt  on  this  subject,  it 
may  be  observed  that  he  conceived,  and  with  the  assistance 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Loud,  the  organist  of  his  Church,  executed 
to  some  extent,  a  plan,  the  direct  tendency  of  which  was  to 
correct  the  evil  so  much  deplored.  Under  their  auspices  a 
work  was  issued,  called  '  Lyricse  Sacrae,'  which  was  designed 
to  contain  the  most  popular  airs,  arranged  for  the  piano  forte, 
and  adapted  to  words,  if  not  strictly  sacred,  yet  calculated  to 
excite  no  other  emotions  than  such  as  were  accordant  with 
the  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Several  numbers  of 
,  this  work  were  issued,  and  are  now  well  known  to  the  reli- 
gious public.  In  one  of  them  is  contained  a  parody  on 
Heber's  celebrated  verses,  '  I  see  them  on  their  winding 
way,'  written  by  Dr.  B.  himself. 

"  It  were  natural  also  to  suppose  that  music,  as  connected 
with  the  public  worship  of  God,  would  engross  a  consider- 
able share  of  his  attention,  and  accordingly  we  find  him  ac- 
tively engaged  in  endeavours  to  bring  it  here  to  the  utmost 
possible  perfection.  It  was  his  custom  to  meet  with  the 
choir,  on  which  occasions  I  have  sometimes  accompanied 
him,  and  by  his  presence,  advice,  and  active  participation, 
he  promoted  the  objects  of  their  meeting,  always  closing  the 


310  MEMOIR   OF 

exercises  himself  by  asking  for  them  in  prayer  the  blessing 
of  God.  It  was  customary  also  with  Dr.  Bedell,  for  many 
years,  to  associate  music  in  a  very  delightful  manner  with 
the  devotional  exercises  of  his  family.  Frequently,  while  an 
inmate  of  his  family,  the  first  sound  I  have  heard  after  awak- 
ing in  the  morning,  was  the  swelling  tones  of  the  organ, 
under  his  touch,  as  a  prelude  to  the  exercise  of  family  wor- 
ship. It  was,  I  believe,  originally  for  such  occasions  that  he 
composed  several  airs,  adapted  to  the  hymns  of  the  Church, 
that  found  their  way  afterwards  to  the  public,  and  have 
already  been  sung  in  several  churches.  I  have  been  in- 
duced to  refer  to  one  of  these,  from  the  interesting  circum- 
stance with  which  it  was  connected.  Sometime  prior  to  Dr. 
Bedell's  last  visit  to  Newark,  he  had,  at  the  request  of  my 
sister,  sent  her  a  copy  of  the  air,  and  it  had  been  used  on 
several  occasions  by  the  choir  of  the  Church.  On  the  occa- 
sion of  his  visit,  it  was  sung  immediately  after  the  sermon, 
to  his  evident  surprise  and  gratification,  and  produced,  as 
might  well  be  imagined — the  author  being  generally  known — 
a  most  powerful  effect  upon  the  audience.  Immediately 
after  the  service,  when  he  had  returned  to  my  house,  and 
was  reclining  upon  the  sofa,  some  remark  was  casually  made 
in  regard  to  the  manner  of  its  performance — he  observed, 
that  there  had  been  a  slight  mistake,  and  rose  at  once  to  play 
it  upon  a  piano  forte  in  the  room.  The  feeling  and  expres- 
sion with  which  he  then  played,  I  have  never  heard  excelled. 
It  was  the  last  time. 

"  The  words  to  which  he  adapted  the  air  were  those  of 
that  beautiful  hymn, — 

Rock  of  ages  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  thee. 

"  Connected  with  Dr.  B.'s  extraordinary  taste  and  fond- 
ness for  music,  is  a  circumstance,  which,  though  trivial  in 
itself,  is  yet  calculated  strikingly  to  illustrate  the  noble  inte- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  3ll 

grity  of  his  Christian  character.  He  had  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  operations  of  the  Society  attached  to  the  Mu- 
sical Fund  Hall,  and  had  frequently  attended  its  Concerts  of 
Sacred  Music  with  satisfaction  and  delight.  His  presence 
there,  however,  gave  offence  to  some  of  his  religious  con- 
nexions. The  circumstance  reached  the  ears  of  Dr.  B.  His 
resolution  was  taken  at  once,  and  upon  a  suitable  occasion 
soon  after,  it  was  publicly  avowed.  He  stated  what  he  had 
heard,  and  what  were  his  own  views,  and  concluded  by  de- 
claring his  decided  purpose  never  to  enter  again  with  similar 
intent  the  walls  of  that  building,  quoting  in  his  own  peculiar 
and  emphatic  manner,  the  language  of  the  Apostle,  (1  Cor. 
viii.  13.)  '  Wherefore  if  meat  make  my  brother  to  offend,  I 
will  eat  no  flesh  while  the  world  standeth.'  Thus  did  he 
become  '  all  things  to  all  men,  that  he  might  by  all  means  save 
some.'  " 

The  fondness  of  Dr.  Bedell  for  music,  and  his  peculiar 
talent  for  its  execution,  is  further  described  in  the  following 
communication,  from  one  who  was  long  associated  with  him 
in  this  peculiar  connexion  : — 

"  I  could  detail  many  of  those  characteristic  facts  which 
came  under  my  notice,  but  however  interesting  they  might 
be  in  my  own  private  estimation,  I  fear  they  are  not  such  as 
would  interest  the  general  reader,  who,  in  a  biography  of  an 
eminently  good  and  great  man,  looks  for  facts  and  incidents 
more  striking  and  prominent  than  could  be  expected  to  be 
elicited  by  an  intercourse  which,  though  social  and  familiar, 
was  necessarily  a  general  one. 

"  His  fondness  for  music  was  well  known.  Indeed,  he 
might  almost  be  deemed  an  enthusiast  in  this  delightful  sci- 
ence. As  a  necessary  consequence,  his  attachment  to  his 
choir  was  singularly  strong  and  unabated,  and  I  think  some 


312  MEMOIR    OF 

of  the  most  pleasant  of  his  earthly  moments  were  passed 
at  the  meetings  of  the  choir. 

*'  He  never  failed  to  attend  these  meetings  when  his 
health  would  permit,  and  he  has  frequently  rode  to  and  from 
the  place  of  meeting  when  the  state  of  weather  or  his  health 
was  thought  sufficient  to  deter  him  from  walking.  As  his 
health  declined,  the  place  of  meeting,  which  at  first  was 
alternately  at  his  own  house  and  the  houses  of  the  members, 
was  permanently  fixed  at  his  own.  There,  seated  near  his 
organ,  or  in  the  absence  of  his  organist  officiating  himself, 
he  has  frequently  said  that  he  experienced  more  satisfaction 
and  delight  than  he  could  have  hoped  to  enjoy  on  this  side 
the  grave. 

"  That  his  enjoyment  of  music  arose  from  a  correct  and 
refined  taste  which  led  to  its  just  appreciation,  is  evinced 
from  some  of  his  compositions,  which,  although  few  and  sim- 
ple, sufficiently  indicate  this  fact.  One,  and  probably  the 
last,  of  his  compositions,  which  he  named  after  a  member  of 
the  choir,  and  which  has  since  been  published,  has  been  par- 
ticularly admired  for  a  degree  of  originality  and  melody, 
seldom  surpassed  in  a  common  psalm  or  hymn  tune.  I 
mean  the  tune  adapted  to  the  words,  '  Rock  of  ages  cleft 
for  me.' 

"  But  you  perceive,  that  I  have  got  upon  a  theme  which, 
though  from  its  connexion  may  be  interesting  to  yourself 
and  to  me,  is  yet  foreign  to  the  original  design  of  this  com- 
munication, inasmuch  as  I  have  only  been  reheaising  mat- 
ters with  which  you  are  as  familiar  as  myself.  I  shall 
therefore  conclude  by  a  little  anecdote,  which  I  think  at 
once  illustrative  of  his  fondness  for  music,  and  his  extreme 
simplicity  and  humility  of  character. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  choir  held  at  the  house  of  one  of 
the  members,  and  on  an  evening  when  it  was  thought  impos- 
sible for  him  to  be  aware  of  the  meeting,  (the  choir  being 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  313 

under  the  impression  that  he  was  in  the  country  a  distance  of 
ten  miles,)  the  hymn  tune  above  aUuded  to  was  performed. 
"  During  the  performance  of  the  second  verse,  they  were 
suddenly  startled  at  beholding  Dr.  Bedell  standing  in  the 
room  with  his  back  against  the  door  leading  to  the  yard. 
A  sudden  stop  was  made,  and  an  explanation  ensued.     It 
seems  he  had  returned  to  town  suddenly,  and  was  visiting  in 
an  adjoining  street,  when  his  ears  were  saluted  with  the 
sound  of  music.     Recognising  his  own  composition,  he  de- 
sired to  be  shown  out  by  the  back  way  of  the  house  he  was 
in,  traced  the  sound  along  a  dark  alley,  and  finding  the  alley 
gate  unfastened,  groped  his  way  into  the  house  from  whence 
the  sounds  proceeded,  and  succeeded  in  entering  unobserved 
for  the  moment.     After  hearing  his  tune  repeated,  he  insisted 
upon  returning  by  the  same  route. 

"  He  has  frequently  said  that  music  had  a  considerable 
effect  on  his  preaching,  and  often  at  the  foot  of  the  paper 
which  contained  the  notice  to  Mr.  Loud,  the  organist,  of  the 
hymns  to  be  sung  during  service,  there  would  be  a  note  of 
inquiry,  '  When  shall  we  meet  again  V  or  appointing  a  certain 
evening  at  his  house  requiring  them  to  '  come  early.' 

"  To  prove  that  the  joy  and  delight  attending  these  musi- 
cal meetings  was  reciprocated  by  the  parties,  I  need  hardly 
say  more,  than  that  I  believe  every  member  of  the  choir  can 
attribute  it  to  the  instrumentality  of  their  dear  and  departed 
friend  and  pastor,  that  they  have  a  good  and  reasonable  hope 
of  joining  him  again  in  singing  the  new  song  with  the  choir 
above. 

*'  This  in  some  measure  accounts  for  the  unbroken  har- 
mony and  good  feeling  which  always  existed  among  the  in- 
dividuals composing  the  choir,  and  their  strong  attachment 
to  their  spiritual  guide.  That  his  attachment  to  them  was 
unabated,  he  evidenced,  I  am  told,  in  his  later  moments, 
by  mentioning  them  individually,  and  as  his  dear  choir. 

Dd 


314  MEMOIR   OF 

"  While  they  cherish  his  memory  and  feel  encouraged 
with  the  belief  that  he  is  now  listening  to  the  hosannas  and 
hallelujahs  of  the  heavenly  choir,  may  they  through  grace 
'  be  enabled  so  to  follow  his  good  example,  that  with  him 
they  may  be  partakers  of  the  heavenly  kingdom.' 


5    J» 


Dr.  Bedell  was  much  in  the  habit  of  adapting  some  of  the 
most  agreeable  melodies  in  common  use,  as  songs,  to  sacred 
words ;  and  frequently  wrote  hymns  for  the  purpose,  which 
were  so  touching  and  interesting,  that  they  leave  us  with  un- 
feigned regret,  that  he  did  not  devote  more  of  his  time  to 
this  employment. 

The  following  hymn  was  composed  by  him,  for  the  well 
known  tune  of  "  Robin  Adair." 

Haste  my  dull  soul,  arise. 

Cast  off  thy  care. 
Press  to  thy  native  skies, 

Mighty  in  prayer. 
Christ,  he  is  gone  before. 
Count  all  thy  troubles  o'er. 
He  who  thy  burden  bore, 
Jesus  is  there. 

Soul,  for  the  marriage  feast 

Robe  and  prepare  ! 
Holiness  becomes  each  guest, 

Jesus  is  there. 
Saints,  wave  your  victory  palms, 

Chaunt  your  celestial  psalms, —  ^ 

Bride  of  the  Lamb  !  thy  charms 
'  O  let  us  wear ! 

Heaven's  bliss  is  perfect,  pure, 

Glory  is  there ! 
Heaven's  bliss  is  ever  sure. 

Thou  art  its  heir. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  315 

What  makes  its  joys  complete  1 
What  makes  its  hymns  so  sweet  ] 
There  we  our  friends  shall  meet, 
Jesus  is  there. 

Some  other  specimens  of  his  talent  in  poetical  composi- 
tion may  be  presented.  The  reader  may  not  consider  them 
in  any  way  remarkable  as  mere  poetry.  But  the  Christian, 
while  in  this  aspect  they  are  not  contemptible,  will  delight 
in  the  piety  of  their  sentiments,  and  the  sweetness  of  their 
expressions. 

MORNING  HYMN. 

Soon  as  the  morn  with  earliest  dawn  shall  wake 
The  feathered  tribes  their  tuneful  notes  to  raise, 
Then,  O  my  soul,  thy  early  tribute  make, 
Of  humble  prayer,  and  grateful,  heartfelt  praise. 

Thou  who  ordained  the  sun  to  rule  the  day. 
The  moon  and  stars  to  illuminate  the  night. 
Teach  me  to  walk  in  thy  most  righteous  way, 
Strengthen  with  ray  divine,  my  erring  sight. 

Great  God !  who  made  these  glorious  orbs  to  shine, 
Moved  by  thy  mighty  hand,  in  liquid  air. 
Grant  me  to  know  thy  wondrous  works  divine. 
And  lead  me,  while  I  praise,  adore,  and  fear, 

B  ut  chiefly  teach  me  raptured  praise  to  bring. 
For  works  more  wondrous,  than  these  orbs  can  tell ; 
Redeeming  love, — redeeming  grace  to  sing. 
And  promised  triumphs  over  death  and  hell. 

Saviour  of  all !  thy  ransomed  servant  I, 
Purchase  of  blood  !  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me  ! 
Hear  thou  and  answer  grant  thy  suppliant's  cry, 
And  let  thy  spirit  keep  me  near  to  thee. 


316  MEMOIR   OF 

At  length,  when  pain  this  mortal  frame  shall  tear, 
And  death  shall  call  the  struggling  soul  away, 
Take  me  to  thee,  celestial  joys  to  share, 
And  sing  thy  praise  in  realms  of  endless  day. 

^^  I  have  a  desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is 
far  better.^ 


?5 


Better  indeed, — for  what  is  life, 
That  man  should  cling  to  it  below  ] — 
A  busy  round  of  noise  and  strife, 
Which  from  the  seeds  of  sin  do  grow. 

Better  indeed — for  if  is  built 
Our  dearest  hope  upon  that  word. 
Which  tells  of  pardon  for  our  guilt. 
And  grace  to  love  and  serve  the  Lord, 

Then  when  our  race  of  hfe  is  run, 
And  we  have  reached  yon  happy  shore. 
We  triumph  in  the  victory  won. 
And  sin  hath  power  to  reign  no  more. 

Better  indeed — for  while  we  stay, 
Sorrow  and  pain  are  always  nigh  ; 
Little  the  rest  in  night  or  day 
Is  meant  for  man  beneath  the  sky. 

'Tis  kindly  done,  could  perfect  peace 
Wind  round  our  hearts  in  cords  of  love, 
Here  would  we  stay,  our  souls  would  cease 
To  sigh  and  pant  for  bliss  above. 

Better  indeed — for  there,  no  tears 
Tell  aught  of  sorrow  in  the  breast, 
No  anguish  there,  no  boding  fears. 
But  all  is  love,  and  peace,  and  rest. 

Better  indeed — for  where's  the  heart 
Which  hath  not  wept  some  friend  that's  gone  1 
Which  knows  no  feeling  of  the  smart 
From  love's  dear  bands  in  sunder  torn  1 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  317 

Better  indeed — for  when  we  die, 
And  trace  the  death- walk  they  have  trod, 
We  meet  to  part  no  more  on  high, 
Together  love  and  serve  our  God. 

But  better  far  than  all,  to  know 
That  when  we  reach  that  heavenly  place, 
The  soul  no  more  shall  mourn  in  wo. 
The  hidings  of  its  Saviour's  face. 

No  shades  of  interposing  night 
His  glorious  presence  there  conceals, — 
We  go  to  dwell  within  that  light 
Which  all  his  loveliness  reveals. 

Better  indeed, — who  would  not  say. 
When  all  these  prospects  round  us  rise  1 
Who  would  not  drop  this  load  of  clay 
For  glory,  honour  in  the  skies  1 

Lines  written  for  a  watch  paper,  with  the  figure  of  a 
rising  cherub  embracing  the  cross, — to  be  given  to  a  friend 
whose  heart  had  not  yet  turned  to  the  Lord. 

S  P  ERG. 

I  hope,  because  it  was  for  me 
The  cross  was  reared  on  Calvary — 
Taught  by  this  lesson,  soon  may  I 
Be  brought  the  world  to  crucify  ; 
And  thus  the  prize  of  life  to  gain 
Nor  let  a  Saviour  die  in  vain — 

PRAISE. 

Strike  the  high  sounding  lyre. 
And  praise  thy  God  above, — 
Ask  for  a  seraph's  fire 
And  seek  a  cherub's  love. 

Let  praise  thy  offering  be 
For  all  that  he  hath  done, 
D  d  2 


318  MEMOIR     OF 

For  all  his  love  to  thee, 
The  victories  he  hath  won. 

Praise  for  redeeming  love. 
Praise  for  subduing  grace. 
Praise  for  the  smiles  that  prove 
The  shinings  of  his  face — 

Praise  for  the  promise  given 
To  pilgrims  here  below. 
Of  holy  rest  in  heaven, 
Where  pain  shall  cease,  and  wo. 

Praise  for  the  ills  that  throw 

Some  clouds  across  the  sky, 

Praise  for  the  promise  bow 

That  faith  presents  thine  eye.  . ' 

Praise  for  the  joy  that  springs 
From  peace  in  sins  forgiven, 
Praise  for  the  faith  that  brings 
A  foretaste  here  of  heaven. 

These  are  spring  flowers  that  come 
From  winter's  dreary  night ; 
They  flourish  on  the  tomb, 
In  colours  clear  and  bright. 

Praise  God  that  thou  canst  love. 
Praise  him,  that  thou  canst  praise ; 
Thus  to  thy  God  above 
Thy  constant  anthems  raise. 

Connected  with  our  knowledge  of  Dr.  Bedell's  character 
and  sufferings,  there  is  much  in  these  hymns  which  is  af- 
fecting to  us.  He  has  now  gone  to  the  rest  which  he  loved 
and  desired,  and  has  learned  to  join  in  other  hymns  of 
praise,  than  the  redeemed  can  ever  raise  on  this  side  their 
glorious  reward.  O  may  we  follow  him  in  this  pursuit  and 
attainment  of  God's  precious  promises  ! 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  319 

A  few  of  his  letters,  which  have  not  been  particularly  con- 
nected with  any  facts  in  his  history,  I  here  introduce. 

TO  FRIENDS  FROM   ENGLAND  WHO  WERE    RETURNING  TO  THEIR 

OWN  COUNTRY. 

"  My  Dear  Friends, — 

"  As  in  all  human  probability  we  shall  never  meet  again 
this  side  the  grave,  and  as  I  do  not  feel  sufficiently  strong  in 
health  to  encounter  all  that  I  would  say,  in  a  parting  inter- 
view, I  take  this  method  of  bidding  farewell  to   those  to 
whom  I  have  indeed  become  strongly  attached.     Were  it  not 
for  the  hope  and  blessed  assurance  that  we  shall  meet  again, 
under  far  different  circumstances,  I  should  feel  more  grieved 
at  this  temporary  separation.     And  even  if  the  same  '  man- 
sions' in  our  Father's  house  should  not  be  allotted  us,  there  is 
happiness  in  the  feeling  that  we  shall  inherit  the  same  Fa- 
ther's love.  I  despair  to  reach  the  same  heavenly-mindedness, 
which  characterizes  the  walk  of  your  father  according  to 
the  flesh,  and  would  wish  that  you  both  might  be  where  he 
is,  than  where  my  humble  lot  may  fall  in  the  inheritance. 
There  can  be  no  harm,  however,  in  aiming  at  the  highest 
place — and  as  indebted  to  grace  for  the  least,  may  we  trust 
it  for  the  greatest.      In  the   abounding  goodness  of  God, 
through  his  dear  Son,  I  have  found  many  verdant  spots  in 
my  short  pilgrimage,  and  I  reckon  among  the   number  your 
short  residence  in  this  city.     '  Very  pleasant  have  the  days 
been,  and  they  have  left  a  fragrance  behind,  and  the  remem- 
brance of  them  will  be  sweet.'     If  it  will  not  be  too  much  of 
an  interruption  to  the  happiness  you  will  enjoy,  when  you 
shall  feel  the  peculiar  sweets  of  an  established  home,  and 
claims  of  numerous  friends,  I  should  be  delighted  to  have,  at 
such  intervals  as  you  may  please,  some  few  lines  from  you 
both,  to  let  us  know  that  you  are  alive  and  happy.     Any 
poor  return  that  my  pen  can  ofl'er,  will  be  cheerfully  given. 
"  Make  my  regards  to  those  most  dear  to  you.     As  our 


320  MEMOIROF 

hopes  for  eternity  are  in  the  same  precious  Saviour,  I  feel 
something  at  least  of  the  relationship  of  the  gospel,  and  may 
safely  even  send  Christian  love. 

*'  And  now  that  you  may  enjoy  '  the  favour  of  the  Lord 
which  is  life,  and  his  loving  kindness,  which  is  better  than 
life,'  for  time  and  eternity,  is  the  prayer  of  your  friend, 

"G.  T.  Bedell." 

TO  THE  SAME. 

"  My  Dear  Friends, — 

"  I  regret  most  sincerely,  that  I  had  not  the  opportunity 
of  writing  to  you  by  my  dear  friend  and  brother,  Dr.  Milnor. 
At  no  period  of  the  present  year,  however,  have  I  been  so 
deeply  engaged,  as  during  the  few  days  which  intervened, 
between  his  determination  and  actual  departure,  as  I  had  in 
charge,  all  the  preparations  necessary  for  the  ordination  of 
my  young  friend  and  pupil,  Mr.  Henderson,  whose  examina- 
tion, (fee.  were  hurried,  in  order  that  he  might  supply  the 
pulpit  of  Dr.  M.  during  his  visit  to  England. 

"  Before  this  letter  reaches  you,  you  will  have  had  the 
pleasure,  at  least,  of  knowing  that  Dr.  M.  is  iii  England,  and 
I  can  well  imagine  the  surprise  and  gratification  which  you 
must  experience  at  an  event  so  unlocked  for.  I  very  often 
feel  an  earnest  desire  to  visit  England,  for  the  purpose  of  be- 
coming acquainted  with  the  Christians  of  that  land  of  en- 
larged benevolence  ;  for  it  seems  to  me  impossible  to  become 
acquainted  with  such  master-spirits  as  are  many  of  them, 
without  imbibing  something  of  their  holy  and  heavenly  in- 
fluence, which  seems  to  have  created  around  them  a  peculiar 
atmosphere.  This,  however,  is  one  of  those  idle  wishes, 
the  only  valuable  purpose  of  which  may  be  to  amuse  for  an 
hour.  As  such  a  privilege  I  have  no  reasonable  expectation 
of  ever  being  permitted  to  enjoy,  I  must  be  content  to  de- 
sire, and  to  labour,  and  to  pray  that  I  may  meet  these  men 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  321 

in  heaven — where  the  theme  of  conversation  will  not  be  the 
prospective,  but  the  actual  glory  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
At  the  same  time,  I  know  not  an  enjoyment  upon  earth  which 
would  promise  to  be  greater,  than  the  spiritual  feast  of  May 
in  London.  That  I  cannot  enjoy  it,  is,  no  doubt,  all  for  the 
best,  as  my  poor  nervous  temperament  would  be  shattered 
all  to  pieces,  by  such  excess  of  excitement. 

"  Your  two  letters  have  reached  me  safely,  and  as  you 
may  imagine,  have  afforded  me  much  real  gratification.  The 
first  was  received  some  time  since,  the  last  only  the  day  be- 
fore yesterday.     I  immediately  delivered  those  enclosed,  to 

Mrs. — ,  who  is  the  same  enthusiast  (I  use  the  term  in  its 

good  meaning,)  as  ever,  and  so  wedded  to  the  cause  of  the 
cast-off  people  of  God,  that  were  she  in  England,  she  would 
be  the  companion  of  Lady  Georgiana  and  her  Wolff. 

"In  your  last  letter,  you  allude  to  some  music  which  you 
have  been  kind  enough  to  have  copied.  I  am  afraid  that 
there  has  been  some  mistake,  as  the  letter  has  reached  me, 
and  nothing  else  has  come  to  hand.  I  hope  so  valuable  a 
present  has  not  been  lost,  and  that  I  may  yet  receive  it. 

"  Our  Sunday-school  operations  get  on  prosperously ;  we 
have  more  than  one  thousand  scholars,  under  the  care  of 
seventy-nine  teachers,  all  members  of  the  Church.  Our  only 
difficulty  arises  from  want  of  room ;  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
sum  subscribed  to  the  support  of  the  schools  is  now,  and 
must  continue  to  be,  appropriated  to  the  hire  of  rooms. 

"  One  most  marvellous  interposition  of  Providence,  in  re- 
lation to  Bishop  Chase,  I  cannot  avoid  mentioning.  AVhile 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Beck,  in  this  city,  he  received  a  package 
from  Dr.  Ward,  the  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man,  making  inqui- 
ries relating  to  certain  property  in  America,  of  which  some 
old  person  in  his  diocese  was  the  heir.  The  letter  had  gone 
to  Ohio — followed  him  to  Washington — then  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  found  him  at  Mr.  Beck's,  when  he  read  it  to  Mr.  B. 
The  latter  was  in  amazement,  and  said,  '  Bishop  Chase,  I  am 


322  MEMOIR   OF 

the  only  man  in  the  world  who  can  give  you  information. 
I  have  the  deeds  in  my  possession,  and  have  had  them  forty- 
three  years,  not  knowing  what  to  do  with  them,  or  where 
any  heirs  were  to  be  found.'  Think  of  this,  that  the  appli- 
cation should  have  been  made  to  Bishop  Chase,  and  he  not 
in  Ohio,  but  a  guest  in  the  house  of  the  only  man  who  pos- 
sessed any  information  on  the  subject.  It  is  indeed  marvel- 
lous in  our  eyes.  Copies  of  the  papers  have  been  sent  to 
England. 

*'And  now,  my  dear  friend,  I  have  filled  my  paper,  with- 
out the  half  I  desired.  Do  make  my  respects  to  your  vene- 
rable father,  with  whom  I  should  be,  beyond  expression, 
gratified  to  become  acquainted.  I  am  afraid,  that  to  know 
how  he  looks  will  be  denied  me,  unless  I  can  succeed  in  re- 
ceiving the  package,  which,  with  other  things,  contains  the 
likeness. 

"  Brother  S is  just  as  usual — suffering,  yet  in  the 

same  holy  frame,  and  doing  the  same  active  duties.     Mrs. 

and  Miss  ,  desired  to  be   afiectionately  remembered. 

And  may  the  Lord  have  you  both  in  his  most  holy  keeping, 
and  ripen  you  for  his  kingdom  and  glory. 

"  I  mean  this  letter  for  both  of  you,  as  constituting  but 
one  person,  and  therefore  subscribe  myself  my  dear  friend, 
"  Yours,  most  truly, 

"  In  the  bonds  of  Christian  affection, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

*'  TO  THE  REV.  DR.  M.  ON  HIS  EMBARKATION  FOR  ENGLAND. 

"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother, — 

*'  I  can  truly  say  that  I  am  rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of  your 
going  to  England,  on  matters  so  intimately  associated  with 
the  great  interests  of  religion.  And  I  rejoice  particularly 
that  you  are  going,  because  you  are  the  only  one  of  our 
clergy  who  is  personally  connected  with  every  form  of  reli- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  323 

gious  benevolence  in  America,  and  therefore,  better  qualified 
than  any  one  else  to  be  the  representative  of  all  leading  inte- 
rests. I  think  the  whole  train  of  circumstances  remarkably- 
providential. 

"  Had  it  been  in  my  power,  I  should  have  made  a  journey 
to  New-York  on  purpose  to  express  my  pleasure,  and  to  bid 
you  farewell;  but  duties,  and  roads,  and  imperfect  health,  all 
combine  to  forbid  me.  I  wish  that  I  could  even  go  with  you 
to  England,  just  to  enjoy  one  such  feast  as  that  which  must 
be  spread  out  before  the  spiritual  appetite  during  the  month 
of  May,  in  the  British  metropolis.  May  the  Lord  follow 
you  with  his  choicest  blessings  ;  make  you  the  instrument  of 
great  good  while  you  are  abroad,  and  return  you  to  your 
Church,  family  and  friends,  with  bodily  and  spiritual  health 
refreshed  by  the  journey.  That  you  may  in  all  things  have 
a  '  prosperous  journey  by  the  will  of  God,'  is  the  sincere 
wish  and  prayer  of 

*'  Your  Friend  and  Brother, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 


324  MEMOIR   OF 


CHAPTER  XI. 

FAILIKG  HEALTH— ^JOURNETINGS — LAST  JOURNEY SICKNESS 

DEATH. 

We  are  now  brought  to  consider  the  latter  portion  of  the 
life  of  Dr.  Bedell ;  the' few  painful  but  bright  days  and  months 
which  preceded  his  departure  from  this  world  to  God. 

For  a  few  of  the  first  years  during  which  he  ministered  in 
Philadelphia,  his  health  was  comparatively  good ;  though 
even  then,  when  contrasted  with  most  other  men,  he  would 
be  considered  weak  and  infirm.  He  had  been  delicate  in  his 
constitution  from  his  earliest  childhood,  and  has  often  said  he 
had  never  known  the  enjoyment  of  what  others  would  call 
good  health.  After  he  had  been  connected  with  St.  An- 
drew's Church  about  four  years,  his  health  seemed  to  be 
manifestly  undermined.  He  had  engaged  in  labours  quite 
too  abundant  for  his  constitution  to  endure.  Frequent  spit- 
ting of  blood,  and  increasing  debility  and  failure  of  appetite, 
appeared  to  indicate  to  others,  that  his  course  was  nearly 
finished.  For  several  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  he  was 
kept  in  being  and  in  active  efibrt,  beyond  any  of  the  expec- 
tations of  his  friends.  The  kind  providence  of  God  had 
favoured  him  with  the  constant  attentions  of  a  physician, 
Dr.  John  K.  Mitchell  of  Philadelphia,  whose  remarkable 
skill  in  his  profession,  united  with  the  tenderest  concern  for 
his  patient's  comfort,  a  clear  understanding  of  his  constitu- 
tion and  habits,  and  the  most  untiring  assiduity  in  watching 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  325 

over  his  health,  was  blessed  from  above,  to  the  preservation 
of  his  life,  and  the  mitigation  of  his  sufferings,  for  several 
years  after  it  was  supposed  by  others,  that  he  was  very  near 
the  end  of  his  course.  In  the  spring  of  1829,  when  the 
writer  of  this  sketch  was  first  brought  into  that  intimate  con- 
nexion with  Dr.  Bedell  which  was  closed  only  by  his  death, 
he  was  confined,  as  he  had  been  for  a  large  part  of  the  winter, 
under  what  was  by  most  of  his  friends  supposed  to  be  a 
final  attack  of  his  disease.  From  this,  however,  he  was 
again  restored  to  his  ministry,  and  to  the  surprise  of  his 
friends,  enabled  to  undertake  not  only  his  previous  labours, 
but  even  a  still  larger  measure.  The  letters  to  Mr.  Hender- 
son which  follow,  are  in  reference  to  this  confinement.  In 
introducing  them,  Mr.  H.  remarks  : — 

"  The  following  was  written  at  a  time  when  he  was  decid- 
edly convalescent,  though  still  confined  within  the  house. 
It  was  upon  these  occasions  especially,  that  Dr.  Bedell  was 
accustomed  to  express,  though  briefly,  the  pious  emotions  of 
his  heart.  His  personal  piety  was  rather  retiring  in  its  cha- 
racter, seeking  not  the  notice  of  others.  He  was  satisfied 
that  the  world  should  know  him,  not  so  much  by  his  profes- 
sions as  by  his  conduct.  When,  however,  he  did  '  speak 
with  his  tono-ue,'  it  was  '  out  of  the  abundance  of  a  heart 
overflowing  with  divine  affection.' 


)     ?5 


"  Philadelphia,  May  4,  1829. 
"  My  Dear  Friend, — 

"  I  am  once  more,  in  the  providence  of  God,  permitted  to 
take  my  stylus  in  my  hand,  though  little  can  I  think,  and  less 
can  I  write.  It  is  now  nearly  six  weeks  that  I  have  been 
confined  to  the  house,  shut  out  from  those  occupations  which 
have  been  my  sole  business  and  sole  delight.  But  with  all 
this  I  have  only  to  say,  goodness  and  mercy  have  followed 


e  e 


326  MEMOIR   OF 

me,  and  it  is  the  Lord,  he  hath  done  what  seemeth  him  good. 
Since  I  have  been  convalescent,  the  weather  has  been  very 
much  against  my  rapid  recovery,  and  it  is  now  five  days 
since  I  have  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  the  open  air.  Cold  rain 
and  cold  wind  have  kept  me  housed.  Had  it  been  clear 
and  M'arm  yesterday,  I  should  have  been  permitted  to  attend 
Church.         *  *  *  *        .     *  * 

"Your  Friend  and  Brother." 

*' Philadelphia,  May  18,  1829. 
"  My  Dear  Friend, — 

*'  Yesterday  was  the  first  out  of  eight  Sundays  that  I  have 
been  permitted  to  attend  the  house  of  God. 

"  I  can  truly  say,  that  during  that  time  I  have  very  often 
felt  the  force  of  the  expressions  of  the  Psalmist,  '  my  soul 
hath  a  desire  and  longing  to  enter  into  the  courts  of  the  Lord.' 
I  should  have  attended  Church  however,  before,  had  the 
weather  been  such  as  to  render  it  prudent,  but  the  two  Sun- 
days which  preceded  yesterday  were  very  stormy. 

"  Yesterday  was  a  very  lovely  day,  and  I  not  only  at- 
tended Church,  but  preached,  though  I  was  almost  overcome 
by  the  manifestation  of  feeling,  on  the  part  of  the  congrega- 
tion, at  the  introductory  part  of  my  discourse.  We  could 
not  have  had  less  than  one  thousand  present.  As  it  will  in- 
terest you,  and  is  not  very  long,  I  will  transcribe  the  intro- 
ductory part  spoken  of  above.     It  is  as  follows  : — 

"It  is  now,  my  friends,  eight  weeks  since,  by  a  dispensa- 
tion of  that  Providence  who  ordereth  all  things  after  the 
counsel  of  his  own  will — and  whose  will  is  ahvays  right — it 
is  now,  I  remark,  eight  weeks  since  I  have  been  permitted 
to  occupy  this  pulpit,  while  days  and  nights  of  weariness 
and  pain  have  taught  me  the  lessons  of  mortality.  If  there  is 
one  pleasure  which  I  enjoy ;  if  there  is  one  hour  during  the 
week  in  which  I  feel  more  exquisitely  than  another,  it  is  that 
sacred  hour  of  the  Sabbath  in  which  I  can  have  the  privilege 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  327 

from  this  place,  of  proclaiming  in  your  ears  the  gospel  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Suffer  me  then,  my  brethren,  with 
my  little  recruited  strength,  and  my  first  feeble  effort,  to  ap- 
pear before  you  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  and  taking  my 
stand  by  the  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  seek  to  testify  my 
gratitude  to  God  for  the  privilege  and  happiness  he  again 
permits  me  to  enjoy,  and  to  testify  my  fidelity  to  you,  by 
some  plain  observations  on  a  passage,  which,  living,  I 
would  wish  to  make  my  motto,  and  which  dead,  I  would 
wish  inscribed  upon  my  tomb,  '  God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'     *     *     * 

"  Your  Friend  and  Brother." 

"The  overpowering  effect  which  this  language,  delivered 
by  himself  in  his  own  peculiar  manner,  must  have  produced 
upon  an  affectionate  and  devoted  congregation,  can  be  better 
imagined  than  described.  An  eye  witness  informs  me  that 
the  effect  was  solemn  and  sublime  beyond  description.  One 
part  of  his  wish  has  been  solemnly  fulfilled.  It  was  his 
motto  even  to  the  last  struggle  of  mortal  existence. 

"  Let  now  the  hand  of  the  sculptor  verify  the  other,  by 
*  inscribing  upon  his   tomb,'   God  forbid  that  I  should 

GLORY  SAVE  IN  THE  CROSS  OF  OUR    LoRD    JeSUS    ChRIST.       So 

will  strangers  pause  in  passing,  and  friends  shed  the  tear  of 
sad  recollection  while  silent  memory  ponders  over  the  un- 
tiring faithfulness  of  one  who  '  being  dead,  yet  speaketh.'  " 

After  this  attack  of  disease,  his  strength  and  health  may 
be  said  to  have  been  continually  failing.  His  weakness  led 
him  to  adopt,  at  this  time,  the  habit  of  sitting  in  the  pulpit 
while  he  was  preaching,  a  habit  which  might  have  been  ex- 
pected to  interfere  with  the  freedom  and  interest  of  his  man- 
ner in  speaking  far  more  than  it  did.  Indeed,  no  stranger  to 
him  would  have  perceived  the  least  difference  produced  by 
this  cause.     The  same  solemn  earnestness,  and  the  same 


328  MEMOIR   OF 

gentle,  but  powerful  action,  still  added  their  peculiar  in- 
fluence and  charms  to  all  he  said  ;  and  his  preaching  was 
never  so  effectual,  and  so  extensively  instrumental  of  good, 
as  after  this  period  in  his  life.  His  failing  health  induced 
him  to  pass  several  weeks  of  every  summer  in  travelling. 
And  thus,  as  the  early  persecution  after  the  death  of  Stephen, 
only  scattered  the  disciples  to  carry  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel  abroad  more  widely,  the  truth  which  he  preached 
"  in  power  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance," 
became  under  the  influence  of  his  own  bodily  weakness  the 
more  extensively  known,  and  productive  of  good  effects, 
both  upon  the  preachers  and  the  hearers  of  the  gospel  in 
many  different  and  distant  points  in  the  United  States. 

He  was  particularly  fond  of  attending  the  conventions  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia,  in  which  journey  he  indulged 
himself  for  several  years.  Not  only  his  personal  attachment 
to  his  uncle,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  but  his  experience 
of  the  comfort  and  advantage  flowing  from  those  meetings, 
led  him  there.  The  advantages  of  these  conventions,  to 
the  growth  and  piety  of  the  Church  in  that  favoured  diocese, 
can  hardly  be  overrated.  Religious  services  are  daily  and 
almost  hourly  conducted  in  all  the  houses  of  worship  of  the 
town  in  which  the  convention  is  held.  All  the  members  of 
the  Church  throughout  the  state  who  can  attend,  make  it  an 
object  to  be  present.  The  churches  of  all  denominations 
are  freely  offered  to  the  use  of  the  Episcopal  clergy,  who 
have  been  in  that  state  distinguished  for  their  union  in 
evangelical  principles  and  preaching.  Strong  and  universal 
feeling  upon  the  great  concerns  of  religion  is  produced,  and 
much  spiritual  good  is  always  accomplished  at  these  meet- 
ings by  their  instrumentality.  Happy  will  it  be  for  the 
Episcopal  Church  throughout  the  country,  when  the  same 
system  and  the  same  spirit  shall  every  where  prevail. 
Piety  will  revive  in  truth  and  power,  and  the  borders  of  the 
Church  will  be  proportionably  extended. 


REV.     DR.    BEDELL.  329 

For  these  last  years  of  the  life  of  Dr.  Bedell,  as  his  health 
was  rapidly"  declining,  his  whole  character  seemed  to  be 
maturing  for  a  better  country.  He  was  daily  growing  in 
sweetness  of  temper,  meekness  of  spirit,  humility  and  love, 
in  preparation  for  his  eternal  rest.  Each  year,  and  almost 
each  month,  seemed  more  likely  to  be  his  last.  And  his 
concerns  were  arranged,  and  his  labours  devoted,  like  a  man 
who  had  not  long  to  live,  so  as  to  accomplish  the  utmost 
possible  amount  of  benefit  for  others,  and  to  leave  the  least 
undone  for  himself.  The  following  letter  from  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Aydelott,  of  Cincinnati,  to  Mrs.  B.,  exhibits  but  one 
instance  out  of  the  multitudes  of  the  same  description,  of  the 
impression  which  his  loveliness  of  character  and  meekness 
of  spirit  produced  upon  those  who  knew  him  best. 

"  My  Dear  Madam, — 

"  Though  I  have  been  so  long,  and  so  far  away  from 
Philadelphia  and  the  many  kind  friends  there,  yet  be  assured 
I  do  not  feel  the  less  interest  in  them.  And  among  the 
pleasant  hours  of  the  past  that  steal  across  my  memory, 
none  come  so  acceptably  as  those  I  spent  in  your  own  bless- 
ed family.  I  say  blessed,  for  I  doubt  not  you  are  blessed  in 
yourselves,  and  I  trust  that  I  found  many  blessings  among 
you.  How  many  precious  lessons  did  my  dear  brother, 
now  in  glory,  teach  me  of  '  suffering  affliction,  and  of 
patience!'  Did  not  his  whole  example  speak  most  touch- 
ingly  ?  If  he  was  eloquent  in  the  pulpit,  it  was  far  more 
instructive  and  affecting  to  be  with  him,  and  see  him  in  the 
suffering  and  labours  that  daily  came  upon  him. 

"  I  shall  never  forget  a  reply  he  once  made  to  me.     I 

came  in  the  room  and  found  him   as  usual  reclining  on  a 

settee,  quite  feeble  and  languid ;  he  kindly  asked  me  how  I 

was?     I  answered,  'perfecdy  well.'     In  that  touching  tone, 

indicating  a  heart  faint  under  the  burden  of  life,  and  yet 

meekly  submissive,  he  replied,  '  I  never  know  what  it  is  to 

E  6  2 


330  MEMOIR   OF 

enjoy  an  hour's  health  /'  There  was  an  inexpressible 
moral  beauty  in  his  countenance  and  manner  as  he  spoke  ; 
the  expression,  I  presume,  of  those  subdued  natural  feelings, 
and  deep,  pious  emotions,  that  were  mingling  in  his  bosom. 
A  thousand  times  has  this  whole  scene  recurred  to  me. 
Very  often  have  I  spoken  of  it  to  others,  and  the  Lord  grant 
that  it  may  be  more  and  more  sanctified  to  do  me  good.  I 
would  '  heartily  thank  him  for  the  good  example  of  this  his 
servant,  who,  having  finished  his  course  in  faith,  now  rests 
from  his  labours. 

"  I  can  scarcely,  my  dear  friend,  condole  with  you  in 
God's  afflictive  dispensation  towards  you,  there  was  such 
brightness  in  the  cloud.  What  a  life!  What  a  death! 
Surely  you  can  never  be  sufficiently  grateful  for  God's  good- 
ness in  permitting  him  to  remain  so  long  with  you  at  the  ex- 
pense of  such  toil  and  suffering  on  his  part ;  and  for  the  hope 
he  has  given  you  of  meeting  him  in  that  place  where  '  God 
shall  wipe  away  all  tears.' 

"  My  little  ones  often  speak  with  great  pleasure  of  '  Mr. 
Bedell  and  the  Sunday  school.'  The  Lord  grant  they  may 
never  lose  the  good  impressions  there  derived  from  his  faith- 
ful servant. 

"  Affectionately,  your  Brother  and  Servant." 

Our  sketch  of  this  holy  and  valued  man  has  been  brought 
now,  in  its  principal  facts  and  circumstances,  near  to  the 
close  of  his  life.  Upon  the  few  last  months,  and  weeks,  and 
days,  which  he  spent  upon  the  earth,  I  would  dwell  more 
particularly,  not  only  as  desiring  to  gather  up  every  fragment 
which  may  remain  of  him,  that  if  possible  nothing  may  be 
lost;  but  also  as  unwilling  to  separate  from  the  circumstances, 
even  though  so  painful,  which  showed  him  to  be  still  among 
us. 

In  the  winter  of  1834,  his  health  began  very  sensibly  to 
decline,  and  it  was  apparent  to  all  his  friends  that  his  days 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  331 

on  earth  were  soon  to  be  numbered  and  finished.  He  was 
much  confined  to  the  house,  and  unable  to  undertake  more 
than  the  occasional  discharge  of  public  duty  through  the 
succeeding  spring.  Early  in  the  warm  season  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Bristol,  Pa.  where  he  found  the  retire- 
ment and  quietness  which  he  so  much  required,  and  from 
whence  he  paid  occasional  visits,  by  water,  to  Philadelphia. 
His  physician  had  now  ceased  to  encourage  him  with  hope 
of  life  much  longer  protracted,  though  in  the  hearts  of  some 
of  his  nearest  friends,  there  was  still  sometimes  the  linger- 
ing expectation  of  his  restoration.  While  at  Bristol,  in  the 
month  of  June,  he  took  the  short  journey  to  Elizabeth  town 
and  Newark,  N.  J.  which  has  been  already  referred  to  in  a 
letter  of  Mr.  Henderson's.  In  reference  to  this  journey  and 
to  the  circumstances  which  subsequently  occurred  to  him 
through  the  short  remaining  period  of  his  life,  I  am  permit- 
ted to  present  some  extracts  from  an  account  written  by  Mrs. 
B.  for  one  of  Dr.  Bedell's  sisters,  at  her  request,  soon  after 
his  decease.  In  the  introduction  of  these  extracts,  which 
seem  so  much  to  open  the  retirements  of  private  scenes,  and 
which  were  never  designed  to  come  in  any  way  before  the 
public  eye,  the  writer  of  the  present  sketch  feels  bound  to 
say,  that  they  have  been  granted  only  to  his  earnest  solici- 
tation, and  his  decided  judgment  that  they  were  of  great  im- 
portance to  him  in  finishing  a  proper  account  of  the  lamented 
object  to  whom  they  refer,  and  would  be  valued  with  deep 
interest  by  those  for  whom  this  memoir  has  been  prepared. 
Speaking  of  the  visit  to  Eiizabethtown,  Mrs.  B.  remarks  : — 

"  This  journey  proved  to  be,  in  connexion  with  some  pre- 
vious circumstances,  a  most  providential  event  to  me.  My 
views  of  his  disease  were  entirely  changed ;  whether  they 
were  now  correct  or  not,  the  eflfect  was  the  same.  My  sink- 
ing hopes  were  raised,  and  I  was  enabled  to  pass  through 


332  MEMOIR   OF 

many  a  trying  scene,  under  which,  without  the  buoyancy  of 
hope,  I  must  have  sunk.  Among  other  things  which  pro- 
duced this  effect,  were  the  knowledge  we  obtained  of  the 
longevity  of  the  family ;  their  singular  exemption  from  con- 
sumption, combined  with  the  similarity  of  symptoms  be- 
tween the  case  of  your  dear  brother  and  persons  who  had 
been  very  low  with  dyspepsia ;  and  then  the  actual  visit  from 
several  individuals,  then  in  perfect  health,  who  had  been 
raised  almost  from  the  verge  of  the  grave  under  the  same  dis- 
ease. One  case,  you  will  recollect,  of  a  gentleman  advanced 
in  life,  who  had  been  confined  seven  years,  and  who  had 
perfectly  recovered,  and  for  years  enjoyed  uninterrupted 
health. 

"  About  this  time  the  efficacy  of  the  waters  at  Bedford 
being  very  much  spoken  of  as  instrumental  in  effecting  aston- 
ishing cures  of  dyspepsia ;  and  having  experienced  the  benelit 
invariably  derived  from  travelling,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  urge 
him  to  take  the  journey,  particularly  as  I  found  his  health 
declining,  and  that  nothing  more  was  to  be  expected  from 
medical  aid. 

"  Many,  many  times  has  my  heart  sunk  within  me  when  I 
beheld  his  wasted  form  and  feeble  step,  but  it  stimulated  me  to 
more  intensity  of  purpose  in  the  determination  to  undertake 
the  journey,  and  make  a  last  effort  to  prolong  his  valuable 
life,  believing  it  in  all  cases  a  duty  never  to  cease  our  efforts 
until  life  is  extinct.  The  journey  of  two  hundred  miles  was 
a  terrific  undertaking ;  but  God  is  every  where,  and  will  not 
forsake  his  children  when  they  conscientiously  believe  they 
are  in  the  path  of  duty.  To  part  with  my  husband  seemed 
impossible ;  I  therefore  lived  under  a  continual  struggle  to 
banish  the  thought  of  death  from  my  mind,  shutting  my  eyes 
to  that  which  was  but  too  evident  to  all  beside. 

"  I  saw  that  great  energy  on  my  part  was  necessary,  unless 
I  would  sit  down  quietly  and  watch  the  appalling  march  of 


REV.    DR.     BEDELL.  333 

disease  hurrying  his  frail  body  to  the  grave.  This  was  im- 
possible. I  therefore  marked  out  my  course,  with  a  firm  de- 
termination to  overcome  every  difficulty. 

"  My  first,  as  well  as  my  most  unceasing  effort,  was  to 
make  every  one  believe  with  me,  that  his  disease  was  of  the 
stomach,  and  not  the  lungs,  or  at  least  that  the  latter  were  not 
materially  affected. 

"  When  I  heard  the  anxious  inquiry  after  his  health,  and 
saw  anguish  and  even  despair  traced  on  the  countenances  of 
many  who  looked  upon  him,  indescribable  was  the  struggle 
to  check  the  rising  tear,  and  hush  the  palpitating  heart,  while 
with  apparent  cheerfulness  I  strove  to  convince  each  one 
that  alarm  was  unnecessary.  My  object  in  doing  this  was 
to  enable  his  friends  to  approach  him  with  cheerfulness,  lest 
sympathetic  depression  of  spirits  should  retard  his  recovery. 
My  own  hopes  were  really  strengthened  when  I  listened  to 
his  last  and  long  to  he  remembered  serTUon,  on  the  first  Sun- 
day evening  in  July.  He  solemnly  addressed  the  scorner. 
It  was  his  last  message  from  on  high  to  the  careless  and 
worldly,  who  had  heard  the  same  truths  from  him  for  twelve 

years  unheeded. 

"  This  sermon  was  preached  with  all  the  eloquence  and 
energy  that  characterized  his  preaching  twelve  years  since. 
His  voice  was  clear  and  loud ;  his  manner  graceful  and  ani- 
mated :  this  confirmed  me  in  all  my  anticipations  of  an  im- 
proved state  of  health ;  and  in  a  moment  of  excitement  I 
remarked,  in  answer  to  a  friend,  who  said  he  hoped  we 
would  not  know  the  Church  when  we  returned,  referring  to 
the  determination  of  the  vestry  to  have  it  completely  repair- 
ed during  his  absence,  I  said,  "  I  hope  you  will  not  know 
your  pastor  when  he  returns.'  Oh,  how  litde  was  I  then 
aware  how  soon  God  would  take  him  to  himself,  and  that 
his  own  people  would  only  behold  a  lifeless  corpse  when 
next  they  looked  upon  him  ! 

"In  the  morning  of  the  same   day  he  administered  the 


334  MEMOIR   OF 

communion ;  there  appears  to  have  been  here  a  remarkable 
providence  that  the  administering  of  this  ordinance  should 
have  been  one  of  his  last  acts,  for  he  ever  considered  it  a 
precious  privilege  to  unite  with  his  people  on  such  occasions, 
and  he  always  made  his  arrangements,  even  when  travelling, 
so  that  nothing  should  prevent  his  returning  in  time,  if  pos- 
sible, for  occasions  of  this  kind. 

"  But  on  this  occasion,  in  his  weak  state,  it  proved  almost 
more  than  he  could  bear ;  he  was  obliged  frequently  to  sit 
down,  and  when  standing,  to  seek  support  from  the  nearest 
object.  The  solemnity  that  pervaded  the  whole  congrega- 
tion cannot  be  described ;  a  general  sensation  was  produced. 
Many  were  convinced  that  they  should  be  permitted  thus  to 
meet  him  no  more  on  earth.  One  individual  was  so  much 
impressed  with  the  belief  that  the  sermon  in  the  evening 
would  be  the  last,  that  she  insisted  upon  her  husband,  (who  ^ 
was  not  a  regular  attendant  at  St.  Andrew's)  accompanying 
her,  to  listen  to  his  last  admonitions.  \ 

"  These  circumstances,  which  have  but  lately  come  to  my 
knowledge,  call  forth  my  gratitude  when  I  see  that  I  was  not 
only  mercifully  withheld  from  such  distressing  forebodings, 
but  strengthened  to  perform  every  duty  before  I  was  required 
to  drink  of  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction. 

"  I  looked  upon  his  extreme  exhaustion  as  the  natural  con-     , 
sequence  of  standing  while  in  such  a  debilitated  state,  for    ' 
you  know  he   had  not  been  able  for  a  long  time  to  stand 
or  walk  without  great  fatigue  ;  for  many  years  he  had  been 
obliged  to  sit  in  a  chair  while  preaching. 

*'  This  opinion  was  strengthened,  when  in  the  evening  he 
preached  with  such  energy,  that  but  for  the  paleness  of  his 
countenance,  you  might  have  forgotten  that  he  was  the  vic- 
tim of  disease.  From  this  I  argued  that  it  was  muscular  de- 
bility, and  that  his  energy  of  system  was  not  impaired,  but 
only  required  an  object  sufficient  to  bring  it  into  action." 


I 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  335 

This  last  sermon  was  preached  on  the  evening  of  July  6, 
1834.  The  following  affecting  reference  to  it  is  taken  from 
a  Baptist  paper  published  in  Philadelphia.  It  was  written 
just  subsequent  to  Dr.  Bedell's  death. 

"  DR.  bedell's  last  SERMON. 

"  He  felt  that  every  sermon  might  be  his  last.  He  there- 
fore endeavoured  to  make  every  sermon  what  he  wished  his 
last  sermon  to  be.  His  health,  during  the  whole  course  of 
his  ministry  in  this  city,  was  very  frail ;  it  taught  him  that 
his  time  was  short,  and  led  him  to  think  much  on  his  latter 
end.  He  preached  emphatically  as  a  dying  man,  and  his 
theme  was  that  which  alone  becomes  the  lips  that  are  about 
to  be  sealed  in  death; — it  was  Christ,  Christ  crucified,  em- 
phatically, '  Christ  and  his  cross  was  all  his  theme.'  Thus, 
it  was  the  light  of  eternity,  the  beams  of  glory,  and  the 
flashes  of  perdition,  that  gave  vigour  to  a  failing  frame,  and 
invested  his  sermons  with  an  unearthly  charm.  The  sermon 
which  proved  his  last,  however,  is  said  to  have  been  heard, 
as  well  as  given,  with  the  conviction  that  it  was  a  dying  tes- 
timony. During  the  progress  of  the  services,  introductory 
to  the  sermon,  he  lay  on  a  sofa  in  the  vestry,  fanned  by  a 
friend,  and  panting  for  breath.  He  did  not  rise  till  the  mo- 
ment arrived  for  him  to  ascend  the  pulpit ;  and  when  he 
began,  his  utterance  was  so  faint,  that  it  was  difficult,  even 
for  those  who  were  near,  to  hear  him.  But  gathering  strength 
from  his  subject,  he  rose  and  rose,  till  his  weakness  was  forgot- 
ten ;  and  he  seemed  to  stand  triumphant  above  the  reach  of 
death,  and  speak  out  from  the  threshold  of  heaven,  a  last  warn- 
ing to  those  who  had  declined  the  calls  of  mercy,  and  turned 
away  from  him  that  speaketh  from  heaven,  '  If  thou  be  wise, 
thou  shalt  be  wise  for  thyself;  but  if  thou  scornest,  thou 
alone  shalt  bear  it.'  But  he  had  not  passed  the  gates  of 
death ;  he  sank  down  from  his  unearthly  height ;  and  unable 
to  stand  even  during  the  doxology,  he  retired  from  his  pulpit 


336  MEMOIR   OF 

and  from  his  people,  to  be  there  seen  as  an  ambassador  of 
the  Saviour  of  sinners,  no  more." 


This  sermon  was  a  faithful,  bold,  and  uncompromising 
warning  to  sinful  and  impenitent  men.  The  messenger  pro- 
claimed in  it,  solemn  truth,  in  a  solemn  and  awakening  man- 
ner, with  an  overwhelming  interest  for  the  souls  of  his  hear- 
ers— and  he  was  clear  by  it  from  their  blood,  if  it  were 
rejected,  for  ever.  The  following  extract  concludes  this  im- 
pressive sermon  : — 

"  in.  Now  let  us  observe  the  contrast  to  this,  which  is 
my  third  topic — 'but  if  thou  scornest,  thou  alone  shalt 
bear  it.' 

*'  To  scorn,  is  to  despise  religion,  to  scoff  at,  to  ridicule,  to 
reject,  to  neglect  it.  He  who  will  not  repent,  is  a  scorner. 
He  who  is  not  willing  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before  him 
in  the  gospel,  is  a  scorner.  He  who  puts  off  the  concerns 
of  religion,  is  a  scorner.  He  who  does  not  on  the  call  of 
God,  at  once,  without  disputation  and  without  opposition, 
submit  himself  as  a  lost  and  ruined  sinner  to  the  method  of 
God's  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus,  is  a  scorner.  He  who  is  self- 
righteous,  is  a  scorner.  He  who  is  not  ready  to  say,  'Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?'  is  a  scorner.  In  fine,  every 
careless,  unconcerned,  impenitent  individual,  male  or  female, 
young  or  old,  who  hears  the  calls  of  God,  and  refuses  to 
obey,  comes  under  the  appellation  of  the  scorner  of  wisdom. 
Now,  the  language  of  God  through  the  proverb  is — '  But  if 
thou  scornest,  thou  alone  shalt  bear  it.'  Alone — observe,  no 
one  is  to  share  it.  Whatever  the  scorner  is  to  bear,  he  is  to 
bear  it  alone.  All  its  energy  will  be  concentrated  in  him  ; 
he  will  be  the  living,  eternal,  undivided  supporter  of  that 
which  he  is  to  bear.  The  folly  and  the  danger  of  this  will 
be  seen  then,  if  we  consider  what  the  scorner  is  to  bear. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  337 

*'  1.  He  is  to  bear  his  own  sins. 

"  2.  His  own  sorrows. 

"  3.  The  scorn  of  earth,  and  heaven,  and  hell;  and  if  this 
is  not  enough,  he  will  bear, 

"  4.  His  own  eternal  self-reproaches. 

"1.  The  scorner — the  neglecter  of  religion  is  to  bear  his 
own  sins.  The  real  Christian,  my  brethren,  has  this  one  pe- 
culiar characteristic  ;  his  sins  have  been  borne  by  the  Saviour 
in  whom  he  trusts.  He  has  believed  God,  and  it  has  been 
accounted  unto  him  for  righteousness.  He  has  received  the 
benefit  of  God's  reconciling  mercy. 

"  The  scorner  has  relinquished  all  claims  upon  the  pre- 
cious Saviour  and  the  precious  promises  of  the  gospel  :  he 
consents  to  bear  the  weight  of  his  own  sin,  a  weight  which 
had  already  been  sufficient  to  bring  down  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  from  heaven  to  tabernacle  in  human  flesh,  to  suffer 
and  to  die ;  a  weight  which  spread  a  gloom  more  sable  than 
the  night  over  the  scenes  of  Gethsemane  and  Calvary.  Thus 
saith  the  Lord — '  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlast- 
ing life :  and  he  that  believeth  not  the  Son  shall  not  see  life  ; 
but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him.'  The  careless,  the 
unconcerned,  the  scorner,  is  the  man  who,  having  no  vital 
interest  in  Jesus  Christ,  walks  abroad  with  the  unmitigated 
curse  of  God  upon  his  defenceless  brow.  He  is  without  a 
Saviour.  He  will  pass  through  this  world  without  a  Saviour; 
and  stand  at  the  bar  of  God  without  a  Saviour.  This  will 
the  scorner  bear — bear  his  own  sins.  Can  he  bear  up 
against  the  weight  of  sin,  before  a  sin-hating,  and  a  sin- 
avenging  God  ?  Careless  sinner,  what  art  thou  doing  ;  ven- 
turing to  bear  on  thine  own  shoulders  a  weight  which  is 
sufficient  to  crush  a  world?  Flee  to  Jesus  Christ,  who 
alone  is  able  to  save. 

"2.  As  the  scorner  is  obliged  to  bear  the  weight  of  his 

own  sins,  so  will  he  be  obliged  to  bear  the  weight  of  his 

own  sorrows.     We  are  told,  that  'man  is  born  to  trouble,  as 

F  f 


338  MEMOIR    OF 

the  sparks  fly  upward ;'  and  there  is  no  individual,  expe- 
rienced in  the  calamities  of  human  life,  but  who  must  know 
that  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  sustain  them.  It  is  a  matter  of 
experience,  that  amidst  the  trials  which  are  incident  to  this 
fleeting  and  transitory  state  of  things,  the  sundering  of  ties 
which  have  united  hearts  together,  and  the  prostration  of 
hopes  which  have  been  fondly  cherished ;  stoical  apathy,  or 
philosophical  indiflference,  are  but  indifferent  sustainers  of 
the  sorrow-stricken  soul.  It  is  certain,  that  religion  is  the 
only  real  solace  of  the  afflicted ;  and  he  whose  heart  is 
brought  into  subjection  to  the  obedience  of  Christ,  knows 
that  he  has  a  source  of  comfort  which  the  world  can  neither 
give  nor  take  away.  But  the  scorner,  the  careless  neglecter 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  his  gospel,  throws  by  the  pre- 
cious balm  of  Gilead.  In  all  the  bereavements  of  life,  he 
has  no  Almighty  arm  on  which  to  lean ;  he  may  take  the 
miserable  comfort  of  bending  to  the  stroke  of  necessity,  and 
being  satisfied  with  that  which  is  inevitable ;  but  it  is  all  the 
while  a  satisfaction  filled  with  secret  repinings  and  sorrows 
of  the  heart.  It  is  altogether  unlike  the  feeling  which  dic- 
tated the  expression — '  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  As  the 
scorner  is  without  a  Saviour,  he  is  without  a  comforter;  and 
so  far  aIo7ie,  as  to  be  without  an  Almighty  aid  and  refuge ; 
he  must  bear  the  sorrows  from  which,  as  a  child  of  mortality, 
he  has  no  escape.  Pitiable  indeed  is  that  state  which,  while 
there  is  no  hold  on  heaven,  gives  even  no  substantial  rest  on 
earth  ;  which  gives  up  heaven  for  the  world,  and  then  by  the 
world  is  cheated.  And  when  the  hour  of  departure  comes, 
though  he  may  have  the  sympathies  of  friends,  the  choicest 
attentions  of  earth,  he  has  no  arm  on  which  to  lean,  no  guide 
through  the  darkness  of  the  valley.  What  a  rapture  must 
Kght  on  the  brow  and  kindle  up  the  glow  of  heaven,  even  in 
the  eye  which  hath  lost  its  natural  lustre,  when  with  a  hope 
in   Christ  which  entereth  in  beyond   the  veil,  the   dying 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  339 

believer  is  able  to  say — '  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou 
art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me.'  The 
scorner  must  bear  his  own  sorrows  and  bear  his  own  com* 
pany.  It  was  the  heart-rending  prayer  of  one  of  old,  '  Leave 
me  not  in  the  time  of  age,  forsake  me  not  when  my  strength 
faileth.'  Brethren,  when  sickness  and  sorrow  come,  and 
when  death  is  near,  you  will  learn  what  the  scorner  or  ne- 
glecter  of  Christ  will  bear;  you  may  be  sustained  under  it, 
but  sustained  without  comfort. 

*'  3.  So  much  for  earth  ;  look  at  this  matter  in  relation  to 
eternity.  The  scorner  will  bear  the  scorn  of  heaven  and  of 
hell.  I  have  said  that  he  would  bear  the  scorn  of  heaven. 
There  is  testimony  on  this  subject,  without  which  I  would 
not  have  dared  to  state  the  proposition,  and  I  present  this 
whole  subject  to  you  in  the  language  of  the  Bible,  the  word 
of  God  himself, — '  Because  I  have  called,  and  ye  refused ; 
I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded;  but  ye 
have  set  at  nought  all  my  counsel,  and  would  none  of  my 
reproof:  I  also  will  laugh  at  your  calamity;  I  will  mock 
when  your  fear  cometh.' — -'  Whosoever  therefore  shall  be 
ashamed  of  me,  and  of  my  words,  in  this  adulterous  and  sin- 
ful generation,  of  him  also  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed, 
when  he  cometh  in  the  glory  of  his  Father,  with  the  holy 
angels.' — '  But  those  mine  enemies,  which  would  not  that  I 
should  reign  over  them,  bring  hither,  and  slay  them  before 
me.' 

"  As  the  scorner  will  thus  bear  the  reproach  of  heaven,  he 
will  bear  the  scorn  of  hell.  It  is  a  principle  of  common  ex- 
perience, that  the  sympathy  of  the  wicked  is  a  sympathy  of 
reproaches.  There  is  none  of  the  sympathy  of  affection  in 
sin.  Take  the  living  mass  of  human  corruption  which  may 
be  concentrated  in  our  prisons,  and  though  there  may  be  a 
community  of  suflering,  there  is  no  community  of  affection. 
Pity  and   compassion   find   little   place  in   those  who   are 


340  MEMOIR   OF 

brought  together  a  congregation  of  poUuted  and  polluting 
criminals.  Scorn  of  each  other  is  the  prodominant  feeling. 
Place  the  innocent  together  under  circumstances  of  trial,  and 
mutual  respect  secures  mutual  pity.  Paul  and  Silas,  in  the 
dungeon  at  Philippi,  sang  the  praises  of  God.  Hundreds  of 
martyrs  in  the  early  ages  of  Christianity,  in  the  loathsome 
prisons,  spent  their  time  in  mutual  expressions  of  sympathy 
and  love.  But  this  requires  the  strong  principle  of  self-re- 
spect. In  the  regions  of  eternal  wo,  none  will  be  there  who 
can  respect  another,  because  it  will  be  known  and  felt,  that  it 
was  sin,  contempt  of  God,  ingratitude  and  rebellion,  which 
brought  them  all  together,  and  no  principle  can  be  there  save 
that  of  scorn  and  contempt  for  each  other. 

"  And  besides  this,  the  sinner  will  bear  the  scorn  of  hell, 
because  he  cannot  but  be  despised  by  the  great  adversary 
who  hath  beguiled  him  of  his  soul.  Tell  me  the  feeling 
exercised  by  the  reckless  criminal  who  hath  induced 
another  to  partake  his  crime.  Tell  me  the  feeling  of 
the  libertine  in  relation  to  the  victim  whose  honour  he  hath 
seduced ;  disgust  and  detestation  all.  The  sinner  in  the  pri- 
son-house of  hell,  brought  there  by  the  wiles  and  allure- 
ments of  the  devil,  by  whom  he  has  been  led  captive,  will 
bear  the  devil's  scorn  for  the  weakness  which  submitted  to 
be  deceived  ;  and  as  he  will  have  no  sympathy  from  his 
companions,  he  will  have  none  from  the  master  to  whom 
he  hath  sold  his  eternal  all. 

"  4.  And  as  if  this  were  not  enough,  the  scorner  will  bear, 
what  is  worse  than  all,  his  own  eternal  self-reproaches.  It 
is  the  declaration  of  Scripture,  that  '  the  spirit  of  a  man 
will  sustain  his  infirmity ;'  and  it  is  its  portentous  interroga- 
tory, '  but  a  wounded  spirit  who  can  bear  ?'  If  there  is  on 
earth  any  one  thing  which  is  more  diflicult  to  sustain  than 
another,  it  is  the  accusations  of  a  man's  own  conscience. 
Poverty  may  be  borne,  calumny  borne,  affliction  of  any 
kind  borne,  but  the  mental  anguish  of  consciously  deserved 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  341 

distress  is  intolerable.  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  in  relation  to 
his  own  eternal  self-reproaches,  that  one  portion  of  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  eternal  world  is  placed  before  us  under  the 
characteristic  term  of  '  the  worm  which  dieth  not.'  Yes, 
scorner — careless,  impenitent  sinner — rejecter  of  Jesus 
Christ,  neglecter  of  his  great  salvation,  you  are  now  nurtur- 
ing the  undying  worm  of  self-reproach  which  must  of  its 
nature  be  more  bitter,  and  of  anguish  more  intense  than  the 
unconsuming  fire  of  eternal  wrath.  There  are  fearful  ques- 
tions in  the  word  of  God — '  Who  can  dwell  with  devour- 
ing flames  ?  who  can  lie  down  in  eternal  burnings  ?'  But 
there  is  a  still  more  fearful  question,  '  Who  can  bear  eternal 
self-upbraidings  ?'  There  is  a  fearful  declaration,  '  that  for 
those  who  reject  the  salvation  of  the  gospel,  there  remaineth 
no  more  sacrifice  for  sin  ;'  but  it  is  still  more  fearful  to  know, 
that  for  such  there  remaineth  no  escape  from  tlie  more  than 
devouring  flame,  the  scorpion  sting  of  self-crimination.  It 
were  terrible  to  hear,  in  the  great  day  of  judgment,  from  the 
lips  of  the  Judge,  '  thou  hast  destroyed  thyself;'  but  it  is 
more  unspeakably,  more  inconceivably  terrific,  to  have  the 
eternal  consciousness  of  having  done  that  deed  of  self-de- 
struction. 

"  My  dear  brethren,  all  this  is  what  the  scorner  is  prepar- 
ing for  himself.  Your  sins  you  bear,  with  none  to  take 
from  your  soul  the  weight  of  wrath  which  rests  upon  it. 
Your  sorrows  you  bear,  with  no  almighty  comforter.  The 
scorn  of  heaven  you  bear,  and  the  scorn  of  hell,  and  worse 
than  all,  your  own.  You  will  have  no  refuge  from  yourself. 
I  beseech  you,  take  this  matter  into  your  serious  conside- 
ration, and  now,  in  this  period  of  your  merciful  visitation, 
lay  hold  of  the  method  of  escape  provided,  and  be  wise,  for 
yourselves,  for  your  souls,  for  your  eternity.  I  call  upon 
you  now  to  choose  between  the  life  and  death  which  is  set 
before  you  ;  a  space  of  brief  opportunity  is  yours  to  embrace. 
Oh,  let  it  not  pass:  for  a  few  years,  perhaps  only  days,  per- 

Ff2 


342  MEMOIR    OF 

haps  only  hours  of  self-delusion  and  carnal  ease,  oh,  why 
will  ye  sacrifice  the  whole  of  eternity  ? 

*  Broad  is  the  road  which  leads  to  death, 

And  many  walk  together  there  ; 
While  wisdom's  is  a  narrow  path, 

With  here  and  there  a  traveller.' 

"  Walk  ye  longer  in  that  broad  road,  and  the  doom  of  the 
scorner  must  be  yours  ;  take  the  narrow  path,  and  the  wisdom 
of  the  wise  is  your  portion." 

In  order  to  relieve  his  mind  from  all  anxiety  about  his 
duties  in  Philadelphia,  and  to  enable  him  to  enter  freely  upon 
the  journey,  which  he  and  his  friends  were  both  desirous 
should  be  made,  the  vestry  of  St.  Andrew's  Church  deter- 
mined to  close  their  Church,  that  it  might  be  repaired  and 
renewed.  The  following  letter  enclosed  the  resolutions  which 
were  passed  by  the  vestry  on  the  day  after  this  last  sermon 
was  preached. 

"  REV.  DR.  BEDELL,  BRISTOL,  PA. 

"  Philadelphia,  9th  July,  1834. 
"  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  By  the  enclosed  copy  of  the  minutes  of  their  meeting, 
you  will  see  that  the  congregation  of  St.  Andrew's  Church, 
of  which  you  are  the  beloved  rector,  have  resolved  to  close 
the  Church  for  two  months  from  and  after  Sunday  the  13th 
inst.,  for  the  ostensive  purpose  of  cleansing  it,  and  making 
necessary  repairs.  From  what  fell  from  those  who  took  the 
lead  in  the  business,  it  appears  that  the  choice  of  time  was 
made  chiefly  with  a  view  to  exempt  you,  at  this  sultry  sea- 
son, from  parochial  duties,  deemed  inconsistent  with  the  re- 
covery of  your  health  ;  and  to  make  that  exemption  so  com- 
plete as  to  leave  no  anxiety  on  your  mind  as  to  the  arrange- 
ments for  clerical  action  during  your  absence. 

The  resolution  respecting  your  clerical  functions,  afTec- 


(( 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  343 

tionately  offered,  and  unanimously  adopted,  while  it  may 
operate  as  a  wholesome  restraint  on  your  known  ardour  in 
the  service  of  our  Lord  and  Master,  in  which  you  have  so 
often  periled  your  immediate  safety,  is  not  intended  to  in- 
terfere with  your  clerical  independence,  or  your  conscientious- 
ness, but  will  be  taken,  I  trust,  as  it  was  intended,  as  an  ex- 
pression of  affectionate  solicitude  for  your  welfare,  and  a  de- 
sire to  preserve  for  the  greatest  possible  length  of  time,  the 
life,  and  the  ability,  which  have,  under  God,  so  much  con- 
tributed to  the  extension  of  his  kingdom,  and  the  prosperity 
of  the  Church. 

"  Requested  to  convey  to  you,  dear  Sir,  the  expression  of 
a  people's  solicitude,  I  beg  to  add  my  own  affectionate  re- 
spects. 

"  Very  faithfully,  yours,  &c. 

"J.  K.  Mitchell." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  pewholders  of  St.  Andrew's  Church 
held  in  the  Church  on  Monday  the  7th  July,  1834,  Dr.  J. 
K.  Mitchell  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  George  Hawkins 
Secretary. 

"  The  following  motion,  offered  by  Mr.  Caleb  S.  Newbold, 
and  seconded  by  Mr.  Israel  Kinsman,  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  vestry  be  authorised  by  this  congre- 
gation to  assess  on  each  sitting  a  tax,  not  exceeding  one 
dollar  per  annum,  for  two  years,  so  as  to  enable  them  to 
make  the  necessary  repairs,  and  to  cleanse  and  paint  the 
Church. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Newbold,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Kins- 
man, it  was  unanimously  Resolved,  that  in  order  to  make 
the  improvements  suggested  in  the  foregoing  resolution,  that 
the  Church  be  closed  for  eight  weeks,  from  Sunday,  the 
13th  inst. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Porter,  seconded  by  Mr.  Robins,  it 


344  MEMOIR    OF 

was  unanimously  Resolved,  that  the  Chairman  of  this  meet- 
ing be  requested  to  express  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bedell,  the  wishes 
of  the  congregation,  that  he  would  confine  his  clerical  duties, 
during  the  period  which  the  Church  is  closed,  to  such  occa- 
sions as  he  might  deem  consistent  with  a  due  regard  to  his 
health. 

"Adjourned:         ^ 

George  Hawkins,  Secretary. 

Dr.  Bedell  left  Philadelphia,  on  his  projected  journey  to 
Bedford,  on  the  7th  of  July.  On  the  next  day  he  addressed 
the  following  friendly  communication  to  me.  He  had  sent 
me,  on  the  Sunday  previous,  in  the  city,  a  message  of  admo- 
nition for  what  he  thought  unnecessary  labour  on  my  part, 
in  the  new  Church  which  was  then  just  starting  into  exist- 
ence under  my  ministry,  and  urged  me  to  undertake  a  jour- 
ney also,  proposing  as  an  object,  the  collecting  of  funds  for 
Bristol  College.  When  he  returned  to  Bristol  he  renewed 
the  subject  in  this  letter.  This  was  the  last  letter  which  I 
received  from  him,  except  a  few  lines  of  the  5th  of  August, 
from  Bedford,  announcing  to  me  his  arrival  there.  It  shows 
to  what  extent  his  heart  was  the  property  of  his  friends,  even 
amidst  his  own  extreme  weakness  and  suffering. 

"  My  Dear  Brother, —  « 

"  I  fulfil  my  promise,  and  sure  that  you  will  give  me  credit 
for  the  sincerest  friendship,  whatever  weight  you  may  give 
my  arguments,  I  go  on — 

*'l.  By  commencing  now,  you  give  yourself  to  labour 
during  an  exhausting  season,  and  when  your  Church  is  done 
go  to  it  with  diminished  strength,  instead  of  fresh  and  vigor- 
ous efibrts. 

"  2.  Your  preaching  all  summer  in  your  lecture-room 
will  not  be  to  twenty  people,  who  will  form  your  subsequent 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  345 

congregation.  Your  audience  will  be  stragglers  from  other 
Churches,  boys  and  girls,  apprentices  and  servants.  All  this 
I  know  by  experience,  and  you  will  learn  it  by  the  same 
sure  teacher,  if  your  zeal  carries  you  on. 

"3.  My  Church  is  to  be  closed — my  people  love  to  hear 
you — they  will,  in  spite  of  everything,  fill  up  every  nook  and 
corner  of  your  room,  and  you  will  simply  be  preaching  to 
certain  of  St.  Andrew's  people,  to  whom  you  may  do  good, 
but  who  will  render  you  no  return. 

"  Do,  dear  brother,  be  persuaded  to  save  your  strength, 
and  be  less  anxiously  careful.  You  do  not  exhibit  as  much 
faith  as  I  had  hoped  to  see.  I  am  fully  persuaded,  that  if  you 
would  leave  your  Church  more  in  the  Lord's  hands,  and  give 
your  energy  to  that  which  would  do  good  to  the  Lord's  cause, 
by  building  up  Bristol  College — I  am  persuaded,  I  say,  that 
the  Epiphany  would  reap  the  advantage. 

"  Sick  and  suffering,  with  no  strength  or  breath,  I  have 
written  these  few  lines,  believe  me,  in  love,  and  from  a  sense 
of  duty. 

"  Your  Friend  most  truly, 

"  G.  T.  Bedell." 

Mrs.  Bedell  thus  continues  her  description  of  the  journey 
on  which  they  had  entered. 

"  Thus  was  I  determinately  shutting  my  eyes  to  all  danger, 
and  strengthening  myself  in  the  belief,  that  could  we  get  to 
Bedford  Springs  he  would  return  in  comparative  health.  It 
is  due  to  the  tried  friendship  of  Dr.  M.  to  state,  that  he  did 
what  he  could,  in  a  delicate  manner,  to  make  me  understand 
his  views  of  the  case,  and  to  express  his  fears  that  the  jour- 
ney would  not  have  the  effect  I  anticipated  ;  but  I  was  not 
in  a  state  to  listen  to  any  thing.  Our  mutual  friend  at  length 
kindly  yielded  to  my  solicitations  not  to  oppose  the  journey. 
When  I  recollect  how  I  shrunk  from  what  I  was  forced  to 


346  MEMOIR   OF 

see  he  desired  to  communicate,  and  repelled  the  expression 
of  that  opinion  which  for  twelve  years  I  had  listened  to  with 
deference,  I  am  amazed.  A  shuddering  passed  over  me 
which  I  can  never  forget,  that  any  being  should  wish  to  tear 
from  me  my  last  hope,  while  I  answered,  '  this  is  but  an 
opinion,  and  while  no  human  judgment  is  infallible,  I  have  a 
hope  that  the  Lord,  in  whose  hands  he  is,  and  who  has  all 
power,  will  yet  raise  him  and  add  years  to  his  valuable  life.' 
The  knowledge  that  many  of  his  plans  were  yet  unaccom- 
plished, enabled  me  to  comfort  myself  in  the  belief  that  the 
life  of  this  faithful  servant,  who  had  been  strengthened  to  ^o 
so  much  in  feeble  health,  would  yet  be  prolonged  to  finish 
his  projected  labours.  Thus  I  clung  to  hope  with  all  the 
desperation  of  a  drowning  man  to  his  last  support.  Although 
greatly  agitated  after  this  conversation,  I  soon  reasoned  my- 
self out  of  every  fear  ;  and  in  a  few  days  after  this  Sabbath 
we  commenced  the  journey.  For  one  week  we  rode  about 
and  kept  within  thirty  miles  of  the  city,  as  we  had  promised 
our  friends  to  do,  until  we  ascertained  how  he  would  bear  the 
fatigue  of  riding.  We  at  length  reached  Lancaster  on  Satur- 
day afternoon,  where  we  heard  so  much  in  addition  to  the 
information  we  had  formerly  received  respecting  the  won- 
derful cures  effected  by  the  use  of  the  waters  at  Bedford, 
that  we  determined  to  go  on  without  farther  delay.  We  left 
there  the  following  Monday  and  arrived  at  the  Springs  on  Sa- 
turday night,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  Your 
dear  brother's  health  was  evidently  improved  ;  he  had  more 
strength,  a  good  appetite,  and  good  spirits.  The  journey, 
considered  alone,  was  truly  delightful ;  the  accommodations 
excellent ;  the  roads  generally  good,  and  the  weather  agree- 
ably warm  and  uninterruptedly  pleasant..  In  glowing  lan- 
guage, the  night  of  his  arrival,  did  he  pour  forth  the  feelings 
of  a  grateful  heart  to  the  Giver  of  all  good  for  his  unmerited 
mercies  towards  us,  particularly  during  this  long  journey. 


?5 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  347 

On  their  way  to  Bedford,  Mrs.  B.  wrote  to  some  members 
of  the  Sewmg  Society  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  and  he  re- 
quested her  to  send  the  following  message  from  himself, — 
"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  them  all,  and  tell  them,  I 
hope  as  members  of  the  flock,  of  which  I  am  the  shepherd, 
they  may  ever  be  found  foremost  in  the  ranks  of  piety  and 
beneficence." 

On  the  5th  of  August,  he  wrote  me  a  few  lines  from  Bed- 
ford, saying  simply  that  he  had  arrived  there  in  far  more 
comfort  than  he  had  expected.  To  this  short  letter  I  replied 
in  what  proved  to  be  my  last  letter  to  him,  of  which  the 
following  passages  are  short  extracts : — 

*'  Philadelphia,  August  9,  1834. 

*'  My  very  Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  have  this  morning  received  your  welcome  letter  of  the 
5th.  The  only  reason  why  I  have  not  gratified  my  wish 
in  writing  to  you,  has  been,  that  I  was  utterly  at  a  loss  to 
what  quarter  to  direct  my  letter.  Your  having  been  able  to 
reach  Bedford  has  much  encouraged  me.  I  had  no  expecta- 
tion you  would  find  yourself  competent  to  finish  the  journey 
over  the  mountains,  and  I  am  much  in  hope,  that  you  will 
find  the  result  in  considerable,  if  not  in  permanent  benefit. 
All  our  concerns  have  been  going  on  well  since  you  left  us. 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees*  was  well  at- 
tended, and  the  exercises  of  the  next  day  have  given  us  a  re- 
putation, which  could  hardly  have  been  expected.  It  is 
certain  that  the  result  shows  a  character  in  our  Faculty,  and 
in  our  system,  for  which  we  have  reason  to  be  very  grateful. 
*  *  *  St.  Andrew's  is  fast  putting  on  a  new  coat,  not  to  be  a 
turncoat,  I  hope  ;  but  certainly  to  come  out  in  a  new  character. 
O,  that  it  were  as  easy  to  renew,  my  dear  brother,  its  pastor  ! 

*  Of  Bristol  College. 


348  MEMOIR  OP 

But  there  will  be  yet,  a  putting  on  of  wings  as  an  eagle,  for 
him.  God  mercifully  delay  the  hour  for  us,  though  well 
may  it  be  hastened  for  him.  Few  of  your  congregation 
are  now  in  the  city.  I  saw  but  very  few  of  them  at  the 
opening  of  the  Epiphany,  last  Sunday.  I  am  thankful  to 
tell  you,  that  our  room  was  well  filled,  and  mainly  of  peo- 
ple entirely  new  to  me,  mostly  from  the  neighbourhood. 
*  *  *  *  How  much  contentions  and  cares  around  us  lead 
the  mind  forward  to  a  home  of  peace  !  It  is  hard  to  con- 
ceive how  so  much  that  is  wrong,  as  we  find  in  ourselves, 
and  see  in  others,  can  consist  with  a  Christian  charac- 
ter. But  the  Lord  knoweth  them  that  are  his,  and  the 
time  will  come,  that  every  one  who  is  named  by  the  name  of 
Christ,  shall  depart  from  all  iniquity.  I  am  thankful  that 
you  are  not  deprived,  through  your  sickness,  of  all  comfort. 
The  Lord  will  stand  by  you  to  the  uttermost.  If  it  shall  be 
his  gracious  will  to  give  you  back  to  us,  yet  for  a  time,  we 
shall  praise  him  even  at  your  expense.  If  your  work  and  your 
time  have  both  been  finished,  I  need  not  tell  you^  that  hard- 
ly one  other  surviving  being  will  feel  the  deprivation  more 
sensibly  and  painfully  than  myself.  But,  dear  brother,  be  of 
good  cheer.  Every  circumstance  that  has  thus  far  occurred 
with  you,  is  highly  encouraging.  The  same  hand  which 
has  carried  you  out,  is  able  to  bring  you  back ;  and  when 
all  is  done,  can  and  will  carry  you  home  to  Zion,  with  songs 
and  everlasting  joy  upon  your  head. 

"  With  much  love,  and  many  prayers  for  you  all,  I  am,  in 
peculiar  bonds, 

"  Your  Brother, 

"  Stephen  H.  Tyng." 

Mrs.  Bedell  continues, — 

"  We  took  lodgings  in  the  town  of  Bedford,  in  order  to 
be  near  medical  advice,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  349 

the  Springs.  During  the  first  week  I  was  very  unwell,  a 
part  of  the  time  confined  to  the  bed,  but  your  dear  brother 
was  so  much  better  during  that  time,  that  he  rode  to  the 
Springs  several  times,  and  joined  the  family  at  meals, 
although  there  were  long  stairs  to  descend,  and  even  played 
on  an  instrument  of  music,  which  stood  in  one  of  the 
parlours.  As  soon  as  I  recovered,  he  proposed  trying  the 
waters  ;  but  after  the  third  day,  he  complained  of  an  un- 
pleasant sensation  in  his  head,  and  determined  to  take  no 
more.  Very  soon  after  this  it  was  thought  necessary  to 
administer  several  doses  of  medicine,  Avhich  were  too  irritat- 
ing for  his  system,  and  appeared  to  me  to  have  been  the 
cause  of  a  fever  which  followed,  and  which  alarmed  the 
physician  so  much,  that  he  took  an  early  opportunity  to  ad- 
vise me  to  return  home  as  soon  as  possible,  remarking  at 
the  same  time,  that  the  appearance  of  fever  had  changed  his 
view  of  the  case,  and  he  did  not  think  his  visits  could  be 
any  longer  useful. 

"  It  would  not  be  possible  adequately  to  describe  the  state 
of  my  mind  on  receiving  this  information  ;  but  I  did  not  sink 
under  it.  The  long-cherished  hope  that  death  had  not  yet 
marked  him  for  his  victim,  again  came  to  my  aid  ;  and  the 
idea  that  the  physician  might  be  mistaken,  from  having  no 
previous  knowledge  of  his  constitution,  supported  me,  while 
I  answered,  '  Indeed  you  are  not  aware  how  readily  his 
system  yields  to  what  is  offensive  or  congenial.  If  all 
this  should  be  the  effect  of  medicine,  he  may  soon  recover 
from  it.' 

"  He  remarked,  as  wishing  to  comfort  me,  that  if  the  fever 
materially  abated  the  following  day,  it  would  give  him  a 
more  favourable  opinion  of  the  case. 

"  He  then  left  me,  and  after  remaining  a  short  time  to 

force  a  composure  I  could  not  feel,  I  endeavoured  to  enter 

the  sick  chamber  of  my  dear  husband  as  if  nothing  had 

occurred,  and  attend  as  usual  to  his  every  want,  absenting 

G  g 


350  MEMOIROF 

myself  at  times  only,  to  give  a  momentary  vent  to  a  heart 
burthened  with  its  ovi^n  sorrows.  Sad,  sad  forebodings 
continued  to  obtrude  themselves  upon  me,  though  I  in  vain 
endeavoured  to  suppress  them.  In  vain  I  struggled  to 
forget  that  I  was  two  hundred  miles  from  Philadelphia, 
without  a  friend  to  advise  with,  and  my  son  a  mere  inex- 
perienced lad,  who  was  to  be  our  only  companion  in  the 
long  journey  before  us.  Distressed  and  agitated,  not  a 
glimmering  ray  of  hope  could  I  discover;  despondency, 
which  I  thought  I  was  proof  against,  seemed  inevitable. 

"  But  at  this  very  moment,  when  all  earthly  support  had 
failed,  and  even  the  recollection  of  former  resolutions  availed 
me  nothing,  the  '  all-seeing  Eye  was  upon  me;  the  Friend 
*who  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother,'  was  near.  The 
'  strength  from  above,'  made  perfect  in  weakness,  was 
sweetly  proffered  in  the  following  lines,  which  fell  into  my 
hands  at  this  moment  in  a  very  ordinary  way.  I  had  picked 
up  an  old  newspaper  to  put  it  out  of  the  way,  when  my 
attention  was  arrested  by  them. 

'  Does  each  day  upon  its  wing, 
Its  allotted  burden  bring  ? 
Load  it  not  besides  with  sorrow, 
Which  belongeth  to  the  morrow. 
Strength  is  promised,  strength  is  given, 
When  the  heart  by  God  is  riven ; 
But  foredate  the  day  of  wo, 
And  alone  thou  bear'st  the  blow. 
One  thing  only  claims  thy  care, 
Seek  thou  first  hy  faith  and  prayer. 
That  all-glorious  world  above, 
Scene  of  righteousness  and  love  ; 
And  whate'er  thou  needs't  below, 
He  thou  trustest  will  bestow.' 

"  In  these  lines  I  was  forcibly  reminded,  that  my  duty  as 
a  Christian  was  with  the  present,  and  not  the  future. 
*  Sufficient  for  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof.'     When  God  sees 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  351 

fit  really  to  send  affliction  upon  his  children,  he  will  send 
strength  sufficient  for  the  trial.  My  faith  was  strengthened 
in  the  Lord.  In  a  review  of  my  duty  to  him,  I  found  the 
comfort  I  had  before  sought  in  vain.  These  lines  became 
my  constant  companion,  faithfully  pointing  to  a  never-fail- 
ing support.  I  was  now  enabled  to  turn  my  attention  to  the 
next  most  important  duty,  but  here  mercy  and  goodness 
again  directed  me,  or  I  should  have  been  discouraged  in  the 
undertaking,  so  dark  did  every  thing  appear. 

"  It  became  necessary  to  bring  about  an  early  departure 
from  Bedford,  without  referring  to  the  cause;  this  was 
difficult,  because  my  dear  husband  had  determined,  only  a 
few  days  before,  to  remain  three  weeks  longer.  Here  ap- 
peared to  be  difficulties  quite  insurmountable,  but  the  hearer 
and  answerer  of  prayer  made  the  way  easy  for  his  poor, 
disconsolate  child.  A  gentleman  remarked,  in  the  course  of 
the  evening,  that  the  town  was  considered  unhealthy,  and 
many  had  intended  to  leave  ;  this  was  all  that  I  could  desire. 
An  early  day  was  immediately  fixed  for  our  departure. 

*'  The  physician  was  amazed  to  find,  that  in  twenty-four 
hours  after  his  last  visit,  all  appearances  of  fever  had  very 
much  subsided,  and  recommended  a  ride  to  the  Springs, 
judging  that  distance  to  be  the  extent  that  his  patient  could 
bear ;  but  on  his  return  in  the  evening,  he  exhibited  much 
more  astonishment  to  find  that  he  had  ridden  ten  miles, 
made  a  visit,  and  did  not  lie  down  immediately  on  returning. 
This  circumstance  so  encouraged  the  physician  that  he  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  me  that  we  would  remain  a  few  weeks 
longer,  remarking  that  he  would  like  to  look  into  his  case 
further.  However,  it  was  too  late  ;  for  although  the  request 
was  calculated  to  stay  my  sinking  hope,  the  recent  alarm 
had  been  so  great,  that  I  did  not  feel  willing  to  remain  so 
far  from  home,  and  made  no  proposal  to  remain  longer  ;  we 
therefore  left  there  on  Tuesday,  the  third  week  in  August. 
It  being  rather  early  to  return  to  the  city,  your  dear  brother 


352  MEMOIR   OF 

determined  to  take  a  circuitous  route,  and  visit  whatever  Avas 
worth  seeing  on  the  journey." 

On  Dr.  Bedell's  departure  from  Bedford,  he  presented  to 
Dr.  Watson,  his  medical  attendant  there,  a  book  as  a  testimo- 
nial of  his  gratitude  and  regard,  and  wrote  in  its  blank  leaf, 
the  following  note  ; — it  was  the  last  thing  he  ever  wrote. 
How  affecting  does  it  now  become,  from  the  fact,  that  Dr. 
W.  passed  from  time  into  eternity  also,  a  little  more  than  a 
year  after  himself ! 

"To  Doctor  Watson,  from  G.  T.  Bedell,  as  a  token  of 
his  regard  for  the  tenderness  and  kindness  of  his  medical 
attentions,  during  the  sickness  which  Dr.  B.  experienced  at 
Bedford.  Dr.  Bedell  hopes  that  its  perusal  will  be  the  means, 
in  the  hand  of  God,  of  cheering  and  animating  whatever 
Christian  sensibilities  may  already  exist,  and  of  perfecting 
that  which  may  be  wanting.  It  is  a  precious  book,  full  of 
original  treatment,  of  the  oldest  subject  in  the  world,  and  yet 
so  plain,  and  its  illustrations  so  exquisitely  true  to  nature, 
that  none  can  rise  from  its  perusal  uninstructed.  May  Dr. 
W.  find  it  instructive  and  personally  useful." 

I  proceed  again  with  Mrs.  Bedell's  letter. 

"  The  restlessness  of  disease,  which  attaches  sickly  as- 
sociation to  every  famiUar  object,  determined  him  to  return 
to  Philadelphia  by  the  way  of  Baltimore.  The  idea  of 
passing  through  a  land  of  strangers  again,  in  his  feeble  state, 
was  a  distressing  circumstance  to  me.  In  our  journey  to 
Bedford,  by  the  way  of  Lancaster  and  Harrisburg,  almost 
every  one  seemed  to  exhibit  more  or  less  sympathy  and 
interest,  and  whenever  his  name  was  discovered,  this  interest 
was  evidently  increased,  so  that  I  felt  we  should  have  been 
in  a  measure  among  friends,  could  we  have  returned  the 
same  way.     However,  I  acquiesced  with  reluctance,  and 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  353 

we  reached  Hagarstown  without  fatigue  on  Wednesday. 
From  hence  my  dear  husband  had  intended  to  visit  Harper's 
Ferry,  but  he  was  seized  with  a  singular  sensation  in  the 
stomach,  attended  with  pain  in  swallowing,  which  seemed 
to  arise  from  obstruction.  This  circumstance  induced  him  to 
hasten  to  Baltimore,  in  order  to  be  able  to  leave  there  on 
Monday  for  Philadelphia,  unless  he  felt  better.  We  arrived  at 
Fredericktown  on  Friday,  and  took  passage  in  the  rail-road 
car  on  Saturday,  to  facilitate  our  arrival  at  Baltimore.  It 
proved  a  very  fatiguing  ride ;  the  car  was  a  wretched  one, 
and  being  too  near  the  engine,  and  on  the  wrong  side  of  the 
car,  he  was  annoyed  with  the  gas,  dust,  steam  and  sun.  We 
arrived  in  Baltimore  about  three  o'clock  ;  he  was  very  much 
overcome  with  fatigue,  but  a  refreshing  night's  rest  restored 
him  in  a  great  measure,  and  the  following  day,  a  friend  who 
had  not  seen  him  since  the  spring,  thought  him  better  than 
at  that  time.  I  felt  all  my  hopes  return  again,  and  believed 
that  he  would  reap  the  benefit  of  the  journey  after  he 
returned  home,  and  be  spared  many  years  to  us  yet.  He 
felt  encouraged  himself,  and  gave  up  his  intention  of  return- 
ing home  on  Monday,  and  accepted  the  kind  invitation  of 
his  friend  Mr.  Boyle  to  pass  a  few  days  at  his  house. 

"  He  joined  us  on  Sunday  at  each  meal,  sat  at  the  head  of 
the  dinner- table,  and  after  dinner  remained  an  hour  convers- 
ing with  a  friend.  Again,  after  tea,  Dr.  Wyatt  called,  and 
he  did  not  retire  for  the  night  till  near  nine  o'clock,  and 
rested  well.  The  following  morning  he  arose  to  breakfast, 
but  had  no  appetite,  complained  of  excessive  debihty  and  an 
indescribable  sensation  at  the  stomach.  I  know  of  no  pro- 
bable cause  for  this  sudden  change,  unless  it  was  the  great 
change  in  the  weather  which  took  place  in  the  night,  from 
excessive  heat  to  a  degree  of  cold  that  required  a  change  of 
clothing.  I  became  alarmed,  and  sent  for  the  physician, 
Doctor  Buckler,  of  Baltimore,  who  had  visited  him  on  Sun- 
day, the  day  before.     I  observed  him  writing  several  times, 

G  g  2 


354  MEMOIR   OF 

and  when  Dr.  B.  came,  he  read  the  paper,  which  was  merely 
memoranda  of  what  he  wished  to  say,  perhaps  written  lest 
he  should  forget,  under  a  sense  of  extreme  exhaustion.  He 
commenced  by  saying,  '  Doctor,  I  shall  not  live  to  get  home, 
I  feel  so  strangely.'  The  physician  felt  his  pulse,  smiled  at 
him,  and  said  that  he  saw  no  material  change,  and  no  reason 
for  such  an  opinion,  gave  him  some  tonic,  and  promised  to 
see  him  at  Mr.  Boyle's  in  the  afternoon.  He  rode  to  Mr. 
Boyle's  in  time  for  dinner,  and  spoke  of  taking  a  rjde  in  the 

afternoon,  to  call   on  Mrs.   H. ,  from   Philadelphia,   a 

member  of  his  congregation,  then  on  a  visit  to  a  friend  a  few 
miles  from  Baltimore.  After  dinner  he  retired  to  his  cham- 
ber to  take  some  rest,  after  which  he  found  himself  too 
feeble  to  make  any  further  effort  that  day. 

*  *  *  "  A  veil,  impenetrable  as  yet,  mercifully  hung  be- 
tween me  and  the  future.  I  saw  not  distinctly  the  storm 
that  was  about  to  burst  upon  me.  I  trembled  and  hoped 
alternately,  while  I  remembered  that  my  duty  was  with  the 
present.  I  tried  to  believe  that  we  should  be  at  home  on 
Saturday,  which  opinion  the  physician  encouraged. 

"  This  was  all  right,  and  ordered  by  a  Father's  hand  who 
cared  for  the  comfort  of  his  faithful  servant;  but  for  this 
strange  blindness  and  for  this  unwarrantable  hope,  I  should 
have  sunk,  and  the  hands  of  a  stranger  must  have  ministered 
to  his  wants.  I  shall  never  cease  to  thank  the  Lord  for  these 
his  special  mercies  to  the  departing  saint. 

"  On  Wednesday  he  complained  of  nausea  ;  this  was  a 
new  symptom,  and  one  that  he  had  all  his  life  particularly 
dreaded.  When  I  discovered  this,  I  unconsciously  lost  my 
self-possession,  and  as  his  head  rested  on  my  shoulder»he 
discovered  it,  and  merely  remarked,  '  My  love,  this  will  not 
do  ;  you  know  my  nervous  temperament ;  I  must  have  ano- 
ther nurse  if  you  cannot  control  your  feelings.' 

"  When  the  physician  came  again,  he  comforted  me  with 
the  hope  that  he  was  no  worse ;  he  changed  his  medicines, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  355 

and  things  wore  a  brighter  aspect  until  Friday  just  before 
day.  I  had  been,  while  he  seemed  to  be  in  a  sweet  sleep, 
packing  a  box  of  medicines,  in  order  that  some  preparation 
might  be  made  at  every  leisure  hour  for  our  departure,  still 
hoping  that  on  Saturday  or  Sunday  we  should  be  able  to 
leave,  when  I  offered  him  some  nourishment,  and  found  he 
could  not  speak  above  a  whisper.  On  inquiring  the  cause, 
he  answered  with  perfect  composure,  '  I  have  lost  my  voice, 
my  love.'  My  alarm  was  almost  past  control.  I  sent  in- 
stantly for  the  doctor.  When  he  came  in,  I  was  at  a  distant 
part  of  the  room,  preparing  some  medicine.  The  low  sound 
I  caught  was  the  following  remark,  uttered  with  the  calmness 
and  sweetness  of  an  angel,  '  Oh  !  doctor,  I  had  hoped  to  have 
seen  my  home  once  more ;  I  have  a  precious  child  there  whom 
I  have  not  seen  for  six  weeks.  Oh  !  you  do  not  know  how 
dear  she  is  to  me.'  I  flew  to  the  bed,  and  said,  in  my  usual 
cheerful  manner,  though  terrified  lest  all  hope  was  gone, 
*  Oh,  do  not  speak  so  despondingly  ;  we  expect  to  leave  here 
on  Saturday.'  I  cast  my  eyes  on  the  physician  for  his  as- 
sent to  this,  but  I  saw  no  look  of  encouragement.  I  dared 
not  trust  my  voice.  I  traced  with  a  pencil  what  my  tongue 
could  not  utter.  An  answer  was  instantly  returned  in  the 
same  manner,  but  I  dared  not  look  at  it.  I  left  the  room 
lest  my  feelings  should  be  betrayed.  I  read  it ;  a  stone  sunk 
into  my  heart — '  Yes,  if  you  wish  your  child  to  come,  lose 
no  time.'  Here  was  the  long-dreaded  moment,  the  death- 
blow to  all  my  fondly  cherished  hopes ;  and  the  admonition, 
'  lose  no  time,'  was  the  only  thing  that  saved  my  reason.  It 
presented  an  object.  My  family  could  see  our  idol  if  I  lost 
no  time,  though  my  feet  seemed  nailed  to  the  spot  and  no 
outward  object  discernible  from  the  dreadful  anguish  within. 
I  at  length  made  my  way  to  my  son,  and  with  subdued  tone 
of  voice,  I  told  him  my  intention  to  send  for  the  family,  re- 
quested him  to  go  to  bed,  get  what  sleep  he  could,  it  being 
then  four  o'clock,  and  go  in  the  steamboat  at  five  to  Phila- 


356  MEMOIR   OF 

delphia.  I  gave  him  other  necessary  instructions,  but  care- 
fully concealed  the  extent  of  our  sorrows,  lest  he  should  be 
unable  to  go,  or  my  sister  and  daughter  disabled  from 
coming. 

*'  I  returned  to  the  chamber  of  death  ;  the  effort  I  had 
made  seemed  to  have  destroyed  all  power  of  sensation.  I 
moved  about  like  an  automaton,  and  scarcely  knew  any 
thing  distinctly,  until  the  physician  came  again.  He  found 
the  remedies  he  made  use  of  a  few  hours  before  had  produced 
a  favourable  change.  I  was  again  revived  ;  hope  came  to 
my  relief,  and  I  was  enabled  assiduously  to  devote  myself  to 
his  every  comfort,  as  heretofore.  To  be  permitted  to  hope 
from  the  slightest  premises,  produced  feelings  of  satisfaction 
and  gratitude,  too  big  for  utterance,  the  recollection  of  which 
can  never  be  obliterated ; — any  thing  was  seized  with  the 
greatest  avidity,  that  could  silence  the  dreaded  sound,  of  all 
is  over. 

"  Doctor  B.,  the  physician,  expressed  a  desire  that  he 
should  take  as  much  nourishment  as  possible ;  but  no  en- 
treaties would  prevail  with  him  to  receive  any  thing  but  ice ; 
being  perfectly  aware  that  his  end  was  near,  he  seemed  un- 
willing to  disturb  the  tranquil  state  in  which  he  desired  to 
depart ;  he  had  no  wish  to  add  an  hour  to  life,  and  therefore 
would  not  receive  nourishment  at  the  risk  of  producing 
nausea,  connected  with  positive  pain  in  swallowing.  To  be 
allowed  perfect  quiet  was  all  he  desired,  while  patiently 
awaiting  the  coming  of  his  Master.  When  we  had  ceased 
all  importunity,  he  looked  so  perfectly  tranquil  that  you 
might  almost  have  imagined  him  lying  in  his  usual  manner 
on  his  own  sofa,  resting  from  the  fatigue  of  one  of  his  many 
walks  from  his  dear  St.  Andrew's.  When  Dr.  Henshaw 
had  reminded  him,  some  time  before,  that  if  he  had  any 
thing  to  communicate  he  had  better  improve  the  present 
time,  he  seemed  to  have  nothing  on  his  mind ;  his  worldly 
cares  sat  so  lightly  upon  him,  that  they  were  like  an  upper 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  357 

garment,  easily  thrown  off  when  found  to  impede  his  pro- 
gress heavenward.  But  at  this  time,  when  none  were  pre- 
sent but  myself,  he  said  to  me  in  a  whisper,  for  his  voice 
was  entirely  gone,  '  Take  your  pencil  and  write  what  I  may 
be  able  to  say  in  short  sentences.'  His  heart  seemed  to 
overflow  with  love,  and  his  first  effort  was  to  relieve  it  by  re- 
calling almost  every  act  of  kindness  that  he  had  ever  received, 
and  returning  his  love  and  thanks  to  each  individual  by  name, 
and  to  others  collectively ;  among  the  latter  he  named  his  ves- 
try, his  Sunday-school  teachers,  the  choir  of  his  Church,  and 
you.  Among  the  former  were  some  particular  friends  named 
among  the  vestry,  his  physician  Dr.  M.,  some  of  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  and  two  of  his  communicants  whom  he  left 
sick  in  Philadelphia ;  to  some  he  sent  long  and  interesting 
messages,  and  particularly  recommended  Bristol  College  to 
the  attention  of  such  as  he  thougrht  felt  an  interest  in  it.  '  I 
can  say  no  more,  my  love  ;  if  I  have  forgotten  any  one  who 
ever  did  me  a  kindness,  I  leave  it  with  you  to  say  all  for 
me.'  After  a  few  moments  he  named  his  own  family  ;  left 
a  memento  for  each  of  his  children,  with  some  directions, 
and  desired  that  their  talent  for  music  should  be  cultivated, 
particularly  his  daughter's,  referring  to  the  pleasure  he  had 
derived  from  this  source. 

"  He  then  spoke  of  both  his  sisters  with  great  affection ; 
desired  his  love,  and  wished  the  Souvenir  to  be  sent  to  them 
as  soon  as  it  should  come  out,  and  then  requested  me  to 
write  immediately  to  let  them  know  that  he  was  about  to 
exchange  mortality  for  eternal  life.  He  seemed  to  recollect 
that  I  might  be  unable  when  all  was  over,  and  hastily  added, 
'  Do  it  now,  my  love,  now.''  This  indescribable  efibrt,  you 
know,  I  was  enabled  to  make  ;  for  the  desire  to  gratify  his 
every  wish  overcame  every  other  feeling.  My  object  in  re- 
lating these  little  circumstances,  is  the  hope  of  giving  you 
some  faint  idea  of  his  perfect  tranquillity  of  mind.  These 
departing  messages  seemed  portentous,  but  I  staid  myself 


358  MEMOIROF 

upon  the  physician's  remark,  '  he  is  better,  beyond  my  ex- 
pectations,' and  remembered  he  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
Lord,  who  could  do  all  things.  I  believe,  indeed,  that  I 
looked  for  a  miracle,  though  at  the  time  unconscious  of  it. 

"He  then  drew  me  near  to  him,  and  endeavoured  to  arti- 
culate that  which  he  had  reserved  to  the  last,  and  which 
would  have  been  dearer  to  me  than  all ;  but  he  was  too  much 
exhausted,  and  although  he  repeated  the  attempt  once  or 
twice  afterwards,  I  could  hear  nothing  distinctly.  You  may 
imagine  my  feelings  when  I  found  it  was  in  vain,  but  I  was 
enabled  to  leave  it  all  to  unerring  wisdom  ;  hereafter  I  shall 
hear  in  sweeter  accents,  what  he  was  not  permitted  to  utter 
for  my  comfort  on  earth. 

"He  had  evidently  failed  since  the  morning,  though  I 
dared  not  trust  myself  to  think  so.  I  dreaded  the  confirma- 
tion that  the  next  visit  of  the  physician  might  bring. 

"  The  physician  came  at  noon;  he  looked  grave,  but  I  did 
not  dare  to  ask  him  a  question.  He  passed  out  without  ex- 
changing a  look  or  a  word.  I  sat  mournfully  watching  the  hea- 
venly countenance  of  my  husband,  while  he  appeared  to  sleep. 
Suddenly  he  opened  his  eyes,  apparently  with  much  surprise 
and  disappointment,  and  said,  in  a  hollow  low  voice,  '  The 
Lord's  will  be  done,  but  it  seems  to  me  this  is  coming  back  to 
the  world  again.'  Amazed  and  almost  overpowered,  I  said, 
'  My  love,  what  do  you  mean  ?  have  you  been  dreaming  V 
'  No,  I  have  not  been  dreaming,  but  something  seemed  to 
say,  things  are  better  with  me.'  Although  there  was  in  him 
an  air  of  disappointment  and  resignation  combined,  joy  and 
awe  filled  my  heart,  and  I  exclaimed  with  Jacob  of  old. 
Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place ;  he  hath  heard  my  prayer, 
and  sent  an  answer  of  peace.  I  felt  an  assurance  of  his  re- 
covery from  that  time,  and  was  again  able  almost  to  be  a 
cheerful  nurse.  The  hours  passed  mournfully  on,  till  about 
one  o'clock  Saturday  morning,  when  Dr.  H.  having  yielded 
to  my  solicitations  to  rest  himself  in  the  easy  chair  in  the  far 


REV.     DR.    BEDELL.  359 

part  of  the  room,  being  fatigued,  had  fallen  asleep — the  silence 
of  death  reigned,  interrupted  only  by  the  laboured  breathing 
of  the  departing  saint.  The  low  light  glimmering  in  the  cor- 
ner, cast  forth  long  and  dim  shadows,  when  in  the  cold 
clammy  hand,  upon  which  my  face  rested,  was  evidence  too 
strong  to  be  resisted,  that  death  had  now  marked  his  victim ; 
it  could  not  be  mistaken.  The  cold  corpse  must  speedily  lie 
there,  when  the  soul,  triumphant  over  death,  should  obey  the 
welcome  summons — '  Arise  and  come  away.'  Here  then 
was  the  dreadful  hour.  The  cloud  long  gathering  blackness 
was  prepared  to  burst  over  my  head,  and  in  awful  anticipa- 
tion, I  thought  must  overwhelm  me. 

"All  hope  of  life  was  now  at  once  and  entirely  torn  from 
my  lacerated  heart,  but  a  healing  balm  was  prepared  for  the 
wound.  The  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment  of 
praise  for  heaviness. 

"I  had  prayed  for  temporal  life  for  my  beloved  husband, 
but  the  Lord  gave  life  eternal,  and  with  it  such  a  sense  of  his 
goodness,  that  I  exclaimed,  'The  Lord  hath  been  better  to 
me  than  my  prayers.'  Such  rich  manifestation  of  his  love 
was  vouchsafed  to  me,  that  all  rebellion  was  hushed,  the 
cross  was  hid,  and  my  heart  so  filled  with  sweet  submission, 
that  to  lie  passive  in  his  hands,  and  know  no  will  but  his, 
bound  every  wish  of  my  heart.  I  could  almost  in  imagina- 
tion hear  the  dying  saint  before  me  say, — 

'  Home,  home,  its  glorious  threshold, 

Through  opening  clouds  1  sec  ; 
Those  mansions  by  a  Saviour  bought, 

Where  I  have  longed  to  be. 

'  Give  thanks,  my  mourning  dear  one, 

Thanks  to  the  eternal  King, 
Who  crowns  my  soul  with  victory, 

And  rends  from  death  his  sting.' 

Thus,  through  all  my  trials,  was  I  upheld.    '  The  deep  waters 
shall  not  overflow  thee  ;  as  thy  day  is  so  shall  thy  strength 


360  MEMOIR   OF 

be' — and  richly  have  I  experienced  the  fulfihuent  of  these 
blessed  promises.  Great  was  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  in  up- 
holding me  to  perform  my  duties  to  the  last,  and  great  was 
the  honour  he  conferred  upon  me,  in  permitting  me  to  admi- 
nister comfort  to  the  departing  saint,  until  he  joined  that  holy 
throng,  '  who  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more, 
neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat,  for  the 
Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them.' 

"  Often  was  I  tempted  to  look  in  imagination  through  the 
dark  cloud  that  I  constantly  saw  before  me,  but  as  often  did 
faithful  conscience  remind  me  of  the  threat, — 

'  Foredate  the  day  of  wo, 

And  alone  thou  bearest  the  blow.' 

The  glimmering  of  hope  arising  from  the  various  changes  in 
his  disease  was  my  only  support,  while  I  rested  my  all  on 
Christ  my  Saviour,  for  he  hath  compassion  on  our  infirmi- 
ties, and  does  not  try  us  above  what  we  are  able  to  bear. 

"The  constant  desire  I  felt  that  no  strange  hand  should 
smooth  the  pillow  of  my  beloved,  acted  also  as  a  strong 
stimulus  to  keep  me  from  sinking :  for  often,  very  often,  did 
he  express  the  desire  that  I  would  strive  to  retain  my  strength 
for  his  comfort ;  and  not  until  the  last  day,  when  he  had  lost 
all  power,  was  I  obliged  to  ask  assistance  even  to  raise  him. 
My  strength  had  been  sufficient  for  every  thing  until  then. 

"  Often,  when  his  eyes  were  cast  upon  me,  and  seemed 
to  beam  rays  of  heavenly  meekness,  I  imagined  I  could  hear 
him  say,  '  Oh  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove,  I  would  flee 
away  and  be  at  rest ;'  then,  as  if  fearing  death  would  come 
at  his  bidding,  I  would  whisper  to  him,  and  beg  him  to  pray 
for  submission,  to  wait  patiently  for  the  arrival  of  his  family, 
and  not  deprive  them  of  their  last  comfort.  At  length,  his 
look  seemed  to  reproach  me,  as  if  he  thought  my  prayers 
detained  him  here.     I   was  overcome.     I  laid   down   my 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  361 

*  arms  of  rebellion,'  this  my  last  wish,  that  he  might  live  to 
see  his  family  on  earth,  and  exclaimed.  Yes,  go,  my  love, 
we  will  soon  be  re-united  for  ever,  and  I  can  praise  God  in 
higher  strains,  when  all  his  will  is  done.  The  sweet  expres- 
sion of  love  and  gratitude  that  followed  this  remark,  could 
only  be  equalled  by  that  angelic  expression  of  countenance 
that  we  all  loved  to  look  upon,  and  to  linger  near,  after  life 
had  departed,  when  the  sweet  strain  of  his  golden  harp  had 
joined  in  the  song  of  the  Lamb. 

"  He   soon  after  this  exclaimed,  looking  intendy  at  me, 

*  Where  is  your  new  song?  Grace,  grace,  is  the  topmost 
stone.'  I  remarked,  that  the  joy  I  had  experienced  in  wit- 
nessing his  calmness,  composure,  and  blissful  anticipations, 
could  not  be  equalled  by  any  thing  this  world  could  offer, 
and  that  my  heart  was  filled  with  praise.  He  cautioned  me 
with  his  usual  prudence,  not  to  be  too  much  elated,  but  to 
endeavour  to  be  prepared  for  any  event,  saying,  '  I  may  yet 
have  my  dark  moments.'  The  fear  of  this,  however,  did  not 
rest  on  my  mind ;  for  I  well  remembered  the  advice  he  had 
given  to  a  friend  a  few  months  before,  who  was  mourning 
over  his  own  want  of  evidence  at  times,  '  My  friend,  you 
should  meet  the  enemy  by  bearing  in  mind  that  you  are  on 
the  right  foundation.' 

"  One  circumstance  more  I  must  mention  as  proof  of  his 
unvarying  composure  and  readiness  to  teach,  even  on  the 
verge  of  the  grave.  I  had  often  remarked,  that  I  believed  in 
many  cases  the  mental  vision  increased  as  things  of  sense 
faded  before  the  bodily  eye.  In  connexion  with  this  precon- 
ceived opinion,  I  inquired  of  him,  when  he  laid  one  hand  on 
mine,  and  with  the  other  pointed  upwards,  '  Do  you  now 
see  your  Saviour  ?'  He  instantly  brought  his  finger  to  the 
heart,  evidently  with  the  intention  of  correcting  this  erro- 
neous idea,  and  thus,  in  language  unutterable,  emphatically 
saying,  '  No,  Jesus  is  felt  here  ;'  and  then,  raising  his  whole 

Hh 


362  MEMOIR   OF 

arm  higher  and  higher,  moving  it  in  a  circle,  with  the  finger 
pointing  upwards,  as  if  in  triumph  over  sin  and  death,  he 
as  impressively  as  before  communicated  the  idea,  'But  I 
shall  soon  be  with  Him  whom  my  soul  loveth,  and  then  I 
shall  see.'  He  remarked  about  daylight,  on  seeing  Mr. 
Boyle,  Dr.  Henshaw  and  myself  anxiously  watching  him, 
*  My  friends,  you  think  I  am  dying,  but  I  do  not ;  I  feel  no 
change.'  About  four  hours  after  this,  he  said,  with  perfect 
calmness,  turning  his  face  to  me,  '  Now  I  am  going,  I  feel 
an  entire  change :  how  soon  will  my  dear  family  be  here  V 
On  being  told,  not  in  six  hours,  he  said,  '  I  shall  not  see  them 
on  earth.'  On  being  asked  if  he  wished  to  leave  any  mes- 
sage, he  said  nothing. 

"  Soon  after  this  he  gave  further  evidence  of  the  tranquil 
state  of  his  mind.  A  little  noise  awoke  him  from  a  doze  ; 
he  exclaimed,  '  My  dear  ones  have  come ;'  and  then,  ad- 
dressing me,  he  said,  '  My  love,  see  that  I  am  not  disturbed, 
prepare  them  for  the  scene,  and  let  one  come  in  at  a  time.' 

"  On  finding  he  was  mistaken,  he  became  sweetly  resign- 
ed to  the  will  of  the  Lord,  and  expressed  his  comfort  in  the 
joy  that  awaited  him  ;  he  thanked  the  Lord  for  his  mercies 
to  his  unworthy  creature,  and  said  again,  as  if  fearing  that  I 
could  not  bear  a  change,  '  Be  prepared,  my  love,  I  may  have 
my  dark  moments  yet.'  No  doubt  he  then  recollected  the 
trials  which  many  saints  in  their  last  moments  have  been 
called  to  endure.  Always  after  this  last  reference  to  the 
temptations  of  the  enemy,  he  would  meekly  answer  to  the 
question,  'are  you  still  at  peace?'  'Yes,  sweetly  resting 
on  my  Saviour,  as  yet' — evidently  expecting  and  watching 
against  an  attack,  from  which,  however,  he  was  mercifully 
spared.  He  lingered  longer  than  he  expected,  and  when 
roused  to  consciousness,  several  times  inquired,  '  How  long 
will  it  be,  before  this  frail  tenement  will  burst,  and  let  my 
spirit  free  V  He  made  his  last  effort  in  a  deep-toned,  hollow 
voice,  to  give  his  rich  testimony  to  the  gospel,  and  to  leave  a 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  363 

message  to  his  brethren.  After  this,  he  spoke  no  more,  but 
answered  every  inquiry  by  signs,  ahiiost  to  his  last  breath. 
No  doubts  were  permitted  to  darken  his  mind,  and  he  soon 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  Several  times  during  the  last  day  he 
said,  'Do  not  leave  me,  love,'  although  I  was  standing  close 
by  him,  and  had  not  left  him  for  a  moment.  This  no  doubt 
stimulated  me  to  make  greater  efforts,  for  I  continually  as- 
sured him  that  I  would  not,  and  I  was  strengthened  to  watch 
every  receding  breath,  as  they  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  till 
with  my  own  hands  I  closed  his  eyes  in  death  ;  and  while  I 
embraced  his  lifeless  corpse,  I  sorrowed  not  as  those  without 
hope. 

"  I  must  not  omit  to  mention  one  circumstance,  because  it 
proves  how  much  more  exceeding  abundantly  the  Lord  can 
do  for  us  than  we  can  either  ask  or  think. 

"My  petitions  to  the  throne  of  grace  had  been  three-fold  ; 
first,  that  the  life  of  my  dear  husband  might  be  spared ; 
second,  that  he  should  live  to  reach  his  earthly  home  once 
more  ;  third,  that  at  least  he  might  be  spared  to  see  his  family. 

"  To  the  first  I  was  entirely  reconciled  by  the  aid  of  divine 
grace.  To  the  last,  by  the  same  strength,  I  resigned  my 
will ;  but  that  he  was  not  permitted  to  die  at  his  own  home, 
in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  amidst  his  beloved  congrega- 
tion, appeared  to  me  to  be  a  dark  providence.  But  after  I 
had  been  at  home  a  few  days  and  experienced  the  kindness 
of  a  sympathizing  congregation,  I  saw  in  this  dispensation 
another  link  in  the  chain  of  mercies  that  had  surrounded  us. 
It  had  been  the  oft-repeated  wish  of  my  dear  husband,  from 
the  time  that  he  knew  his  departure  was  at  hand,  that  he 
might  be  kept  perfecdy  tranquil,  in  order  that  he  might  go 
out  of  the  world  in  the  full  possession  of  his  mind. 

"  In  the  situation  in  which  we  had  been  providentially 
placed,  this  was  accomplished  without  difficulty.  The 
family  of  Mr.  B.  had  not  returned  from  their  summer  excur- 
sion ;  that  we  were  in  Baltimore  was  not  known ;   conse* 


364  MEMOIR  OF 

quently  none  were  present  at  the  last  trying  scene  but  Mr. 
B.,  Dr.  H.  and  myself.  I  had  been  so  long  in  the  habit  of 
suppressing  my  feelings,  that  not  a  tear  or  groan  escaped 
until  he  was  in  those  regions  where  sorrow  never  reach. 

"  This  was  the  kind  providence  of  God  alone,  for  it  had 
been  our  desire  to  have  reached  home  ;  and  had  we  done  so, 
how  different  would  have  been  the  scene.  Afflicted  friends 
would  have  crowded  around  the  dying  bed.  Many  who 
had  longed  to  see  how  such  a  man  would  die,  could  not 
have  been  denied.  The  heart-rending  sobs  of  affectionate 
and  devoted  children,  about  to  be  written  fatherless,  would 
have  reached  his  ears,  and  the  calm  serenity  of  his  last  hours 
must  have  been  disturbed.  Oh  !  what  a  mercy  it  is  that  we 
are  not  left  to  direct  for  ourselves. 

"  Surely  the  Lord  raised  him  up  to  do  his  peculiar  work ; 
he  strengthened  him  to  accomplish  the  portion  he  assigned 
him  in  the  midst  of  a  life  of  pain  and  sickness  ;  he  comfort- 
ed him  in  his  death,  and  then  took  him  to  himself." 

In  connexion  with  this  deeply  interesting  statement  of  the 
last  hours  of  Dr.  Bedell,  I  insert  also  the  following  letter 
addressed  to  me,  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henshaw,  of  Baltimore, 
who  was  permitted  to  attend  upon  him  in  this  interesting 
crisis  of  his  life. 

"  Baltimore,  Sept.  2,  1834. 

"  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — 

"  Being  returned  home,  after  having  performed  the  painful 
duty  of  accompanying  the  bereaved  family,  and  earthly  re- 
mains of  our  dear  friend  and  brother,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bedell, 
to  Philadelphia,  I  now  undertake  to  comply  with  the  request, 
made  by  yourself  and  others,  that  I  would  give  a  brief  ac- 
count of  some  of  the  most  interesting  incidents  connected 
with  the  closing  scene  of  his  holy  and  useful  life,  which  I 
had  the  melancholy  satisfaction  of  witnessing. 


REV.    DR.     BEDELL.  365 

*'  I  count  it  as  a  peculiar  privilege  from  the  Lord,  that  I 
was  allowed,  in  some  humble  measure,  to  minister  to  the 
relief  and  consolation  of  a  Christian  brother,  whom  I  so 
cordially  loved ; — and  a  still  greater  privilege,  that  I  was 
permitted  to  behold  and  adore  the  rich  grace  of  our.  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  him,  enabling  him  in  death  to  rest  on  the 
same  sure  foundation — to  exult  in  the  same  precious  hope, 
and  confirm  the  same  evangelical  doctrines  which  it  had 
been  the  business  of  his  life  to  recommend  to  others.  May 
the  holy  impression  left  upon  my  heart  by  the  affecting  scene 
through  which  I  have  lately  been  called  to  pass,  never  be 
effaced,  but  become  more  solemn  and  vivid  every  day,  in- 
citing my  sluggish  soul  to  increasing  zeal  and  diligence  in 
my  Master's  cause,  so  that,  through  his  infinite  merit  and 
grace,  I  may  enjoy  the  same  undisturbed  tranquillity  with 
which  my  departed  friend  was  favoured,  when  the  same 
command  which  he  has  already  obeyed,  shall  be  addressed 
to  me — '  Give  an  account  of  thy  stewardship.' 

"  I  cannot  engage  to  present  a/t///  account  of  the  remarks 
and  conversation  of  our  deceased  brother  during  his  last 
hours :  for,  though  he  laboured  under  a  physical  inability 
to  say  much,  yet  there  were  many  things  full  of  piety  and 
consolation  spoken  to  his  faithful  and  affectionate  wife, 
which,  owing  to  the  feebleness  of  his  voice,  I  did  not  hear  : 
but  so  far  as  I  am  enabled  to  state  them,  you  may  depend 
upon  a  faithful  report,  because  they  were  committed  to 
writing  almost  immediately  after  his  decease,  when  the 
impression  was  strong  and  fresh  on  my  mind. 

"  Dr.  Bedell  arrived  in  Baltimore,  with  his  wife  and  son, 

on  their  return  homewards  from  Bedford  Springs,  Saturday, 

23rd  August,  in  the  afternoon.     Owing  to  his  long  ride  of 

sixty  miles  on  the  rail-road,  exposed  to  the  gas,  and  dust,  and 

heat  of  the  weather,  he  was  then  in  a  state  of  great  debility 

and  exhaustion. 

*'  Calling  upon  him  in  the  evening  as  soon  as  I  heard  of 

H  h2 


366  MEMOIR   OF 

his  arrival  in  town,  I  found  him  in  too  weak  a  state  to  con- 
verse much,  and  apparently  sensible  that  the  period  of  his 
dissolution  was  rapidly  approaching.  In  answer  to  an  in- 
quiry of  mine  whether  he  had  derived  any  benefit  from  his 
journey,  he  replied,  '  I  feel  that  I  am  sinking  every  day.' 
I  asked,  '  Do  you  enjoy  peace  of  mind  V  He  immediately 
answered  with  as  much  animation  as  he  was  capable  of 
at  the  time,  '  Yes,  my  only  hope  is  in  Jesus,  the  Saviour 
of  sinners.  I  am  very  comfortable — all  is  peace.'  I  then 
took  my  leave,  promising  to  see  him  on  the  next  day. 

"  Owing  to  my  public  duties  on  the  Lord's-day,  I  was 
unable  to  see  him  till  between  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  He  had  enjoyed  a  refreshing  rest  on  the  Sabbath 
and  the  preceding  night,  and  appeared  to  be  much  better  than 
he  was  the  previous  evening.  I  sat  with  him  an  hour  or 
more,  during  which  time  he  conversed  with  me  on  the  con- 
cerns of  his  own  congregation — the  state  of  the  Church  at 
large — and  points  of  experimental  and  practical  religion, 
with  quite  as  much  interest  and  strength,  as  he  had  mani- 
fested during  an  interview  I  had  with  him  in  his  own  house, 
in  May  last.  He  told  me  he  had  determined  to  spend  a  few 
days  in  Baltimore  at  the  house  of  our  friend  Mr.  Boyle,  as 
the  physician  thought  he  would  derive  benefit  from  rest,  and 
could  then,  with  more  comfort,  prosecute  his  journey  home 
at  the  close  of  the  week.  My  visit  was,  at  his  request, 
closed  with  prayer,  in  which  he  appeared  deeply  interested 
and  fervently  engaged. 

"  As  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  my  family,  (who  were  in  the 
country,  about  twenty  miles  distant,)  on  Monday  morning,  I 
congratulated  him  on  the  improvement  of  his  health  which 
had  taken  place  since  the  preceding  day,  and  bade  him  adieu, 
with  the  expectation  of  seeing  him  again  on  Wednesday 
evening. 

"  Upon  my  return  to  the  city  on  Wednesday,  I  found 
that  he  had  been  removed  to  Mr.  B.'s  on  Monday  morning, 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  367 

and  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  diarrhoea, — a  common 
and  too  often  fatal  symptom  of  the  last  stage  of  the  disease 
which  had  so  long  preyed  upon  his  system ;  but  probably 
then  occasioned  by  a  great  change  in  the  temperature  of  the 
weather,  which  had  taken  place  about  that  time.  His  state 
was  such  that  I  was  not  admitted  to  his  room  that  night  or 
the  following  day.  I  learned,  however,  in  answer  to  my  in- 
quiries, that  his  disease  was  progressing,  and  his  strength 
gradually  declining.  On  Friday  morning  early,  Mrs. 
Bedell  sent  for  me  ;  and  from  that  time,  with  the  exception 
of  an  hour  or  two,  I  remained  with  our  dear  brother  till  his 
soul  had  entered  upon  everlasting  rest. 

"  On  my  approaching  his  bed-side  he  reached  out  his 
hand,  and  with  an  affectionate  smile,  bade  me  welcome. 
But  I  was  shocked  at  beholding  the  great  change  which  had 
taken  place  in  him  since  our  previous  interview.  I  inquired 
if  his  sufferings  were  great,  and  he  assured  me  that  he  felt 
no  pain ;  but  that  in  that,  as  well  as  other  respects,  the  Lord 
dealt  very  mercifully  with  hira.  When  I  communicated  to 
him  the  opinion  of  his  physician  that  he  would  probably 
survive  but  a  few  hours  longer,  he  received  it  with  the  most 
perfect  composure,  and  seemed  cordially  to  respond  to  the 
sentiment  of  the  apostle,  which  I  quoted ; — '  For  me  to  live 
is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.  To  depart  and  be  with  Christ, 
is  far  better.'  I  then  repeated  the  first  line  of  that  beautiful 
hymn, 

*  Jesus,  Saviour  of  ray  soul,  let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly,' 

and  he  immediately  said  with  much  feeling,  '  I  will — I  do.' 
"  Although  on  account  of  his  great  weakness  we  were 
unwilling  to  disturb  his  quiet  by  asking  him  questions,  or 
making  remarks  that  would  require  an  answer,  yet  often 
during  the  day,  did  he  express  his  entire  peace  of  mind  and 
unquahfied  resignation  to  the  Lord's  will.  At  six  o'clock 
on  Friday  morning,  his  son  had  gone  in  the  steamboat  to 


368  MEMOIR    OF 

Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  on  his  sister  and 
aunt  to  behold  the  closing  scene.  On  his  wife's  inquiring 
whether  he  was  not  anxious  to  see  his  beloved  daughter  and 
other  absent  members  of  his  family,  and  manifesting  her  own 
anxiety  for  their  arrival  before  his  death,  he  said  it  would  be 
highly  gratifying  to  him  ;  but,  added  he,  '  perhaps  it  is  not 
best.  If  I  die  now,  all  is  peace — but  if  I  should  be  spared 
longer,  I  might  have  hours  of  darkness  and  trial.'  He  once 
said  to  me,  '  I  should  now  ask  you  to  pray,  but  for  my 
hysterical  constitution,  which  cannot,  in  my  present  state, 
bear  the  excitement  it  would  produce.'  Frequently,  how- 
ever, his  hands  were  clasped  together,  and  his  countenance 
indicated  a  deep  engagedness  of  soul  in  that  holy  exercise. 

*'  At  one  period,  when  he  was  in  a  state  of  too  much  lassi- 
tude and  exhaustion  to  speak,  I  stood  by  him  and  repeated 
the  following  passages  of  Scripture, — '  I  am  the  resurrection 
and  the  life ;  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead, 
yet  shall  he  live  ;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me 
shall  never  die.' — '  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and 
that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth  ;  and 
though  after  my  skin,  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my 
flesh  shall  I  see  God  :  whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and 
mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another.' — '  We  know  that 
if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we 
have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.' — '  In  my  Father's  house  are  many 
mansions  ;  if  it  were  not  so,  I  \vould  have  told  you  ;  behold 
I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,  and  will  come  again  and  re- 
ceive you  to  myself,  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also.' 
These  precious  promises,  successively  repeated  after  suita- 
ble intervals,  proved  to  him  like  refreshing  water  to  a  thirsty 
soul.  He  seized  my  hand  with  much  emotion,  and  hfted 
his  other  hand  and  his  eyes  to  heaven  with  a  most  grateful 
expression,  as  if  he  were  feasting  upon  the  sweet  manna  of 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  369 

God's  word,  and  looking  to  one  of  the  promised  mansions 
as  already  prepared  for  his  reception. 

"  I  was  obliged  to  leave  the  room  of  our  sick  friend  at  half 
past  seven  o'clock,  on  Friday  evening,  to  attend  my  stated 
lecture ;  and  in  our  social  religious  services,  the  fervent 
prayers  of  many  Christian  hearts,  which  had  occasionally 
been  profited  and  refreshed  under  his  ministry,  were,  I  doubt 
not,  in  unison  with  mine,  that  God  would  either  spare  his 
servant  for  greater  usefulness  in  the  Church,  or  strengthen 
and  prepare  him  for  the  approaching  conflict.  On  returning 
to  his  sick  room  after  my  lecture  at  about  nine  o'clock,  I 
found  him  in  a  state  of  increased  weakness,  and  thought  he 
was  sinking  fast  from  that  time  till  near  eleven  o'clock  ;  but 
still  enjoying  uninterrupted  tranquillity  and  composure  of 
mind. 

"  Dr.  Buckler,  the  able  and  skilful  physician  who  attend- 
ed him  with  the  utmost  tenderness  and  assiduity,  now  enter- 
ed, and  after  examining  the  patient,  told  me  there  was  a  great 
change  for  the  worse.  He  then  proposed,  as  a  means  of 
lessening  nervous  excitement,  and  procuring  for  our  brother 
a  little  refreshing  rest,  to  administer  an  anodyne,  containing 
a  small  portion  of  laudanum.  Dr.  Bedell  thSn  called  me  to 
him,  and  fixing  his  eyes  upon  me  intently,  said,  with  great 
solemnity,  '  Brother  Henshaw,  is  it  wrong,  when  the  soul  is 
in  perfect  peace,  and  ready  to  depart,  to  take  an  anodyne  as 
a  remedy  for  the  pain  of  the  weak  body?  If  so,  I  will  not  do  it. 
For  I  would  not,  on  any  account,  do  any  thing  which  is  offen- 
sive to  God,  especially  now  that  I  am  going  out  of  the  world.' 
I  answered,  that  I  thought  there  was  nothing  sinful  or  im- 
proper in  the  measure  proposed,  particularly  as  the  doctor 
assured  him  that  the  anodyne  he  designed  to  administer  was 
intended  only  to  sooth  his  nerves,  and  would  not  be  of  suffi- 
cient strength  to  overwhelm  his  mind,  or  even  to  cloud  or  af- 
fect it  in  the  least.  He  then  submitted  to  the  proposal  of  the 
physician,  and  addressing  himself  again  to  me,  said,  with 


370  MEMOIR   OF 

the  same  solemn  emphasis  as  before,  '  If  in  consequence  of 
this,  I  should  be  delirious,  or  flighty,  and  in  that  state  say- 
any  thing  inconsistent  with  the  Christian  profession,  or  dis- 
honourable to  the  cause  of  Christ,  bear  me  witness  that  I 
asked  this  question.  I  leave  it  with  you  to  vindicate  my 
character.' 

"  The  same  self-possession,  thorough  consciousness  of  his 
situation,  and  clearness  of  intellect,  which  he  displayed  on 
this  occasion,  never  forsook  him,  so  far  as  I  could  perceive, 
to  the  last,  except  for  a  moment,  as  is  very  common  with  all 
persons  in  a  state  of  great  debility,  when  first  awaking  out 
of  a  sleep.  As  an  illustration  of  my  meaning  in  this  last  re- 
mark, I  will  give  you  two  instances.  Between  one  and  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Saturday,  Mr.  Boyle  came  into  the 
room ;  at  that  instant  Dr.  Bedell  awoke  out  of  sleep,  and  see- 
ing the  shadow  cast  upon  the  wall,  inquired  with  some  alarm, 
*Who  is  that  big  man?'  Mr.  B.  approached  the  bed,  and 
took  the  hand  of  our  dying  friend.  The  question  was  then 
asked,  do  you  know  him?  and  he  replied,  affectionately 
squeezing  his  hand  at  the  same  time,  '  0  yes — Mr.  Boyle — 
God  bless  him  !'  Perhaps  an  hour  or  more  after  this,  while 
I  was  bending 'over  him,  watching  his  slumber,  he  suddenly 
awoke,  and  stared  wildly  at  me  for  an  instant ;  and  then, 
with  a  sweet  smile,  said,  '  O  now  I  know  you.' 

"About  half  past  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  his  ex- 
tremities became  cold — his  pulse  was  sunken  and  quivering 
— and  we  thought  him  to  be  dying.  Still,  notwithstanding 
the  difficulty  of  his  respiration,  when  his  parched  tongue  and 
lips  were  moistened  with  ice,  (which  he  frequently  asked 
for,)  he  could  speak  short  sentences,  slowly,  but  with  dis- 
tinct articulation.  In  answer  to  questions,  and  spontaneous- 
ly, he  often  spoke  of  the  supports  and  hopes  with  which  the 
Lord  favoured  him,  and  expressed  the  same  consoling  as- 
surance which  he  had  previously  uttered.  It  was,  I  think, 
about  this  time,  that  he  whispered  into  the  ear  of  his  afflicted 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  371 

wife,  special  messages  of  love  and  instruction  for  his  absent 
children,  and  sisters,  and  some  other  friends,  and  for  such 
members  of  his  congregation  as  he  thought  would  be  likely 
to  desire  a  particular  remembrance  in  his  last  hours. 

"  He  then  sunk  into  a  state  of  rest  and  apparent  slumber, 
but  in  a  short  time  roused  again,  and,  as  if  conscious  that 
the  time  of  his  departure  was  at  hand,  and  that  he  had  al- 
ready entered  'the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,'  ral- 
lied his  remaining  powers  for  a  last  effort  in  the  cause  of  the 
blessed  Saviour,  and  for  the  promotion  of  his  glory  upon 
earth.  Lifting  his  finger  with  great  solemnity,  (as  he  often 
did  in  the  pulpit  when  about  to  utter  any  thing  emphatically 
important,)  he  said,  with  a  feeble  and  quivering,  but  yet  dis- 
tinct and  articulate  enunciation,  '  Hear  me !  I  acknowledge 
myself  to  have  been  a  most  unprofitable  servant ; — unprofit- 
able, not  hypocritical.  I  find  myself  to  have  been  full  of  sin, 
ignorance,  weakness,  unfaithfulness  and  guilt.  But  Jesus  is 
MY  HOPE — washed  in  his  blood,  justified  by  his  righteous- 
ness, sanctified  by  his  grace,  I  have  peace  with  God.  Jesus 
is  very  precious  to  my  soul : — my  all  in  all : — and  I  expect 
to  be  saved  by  free  grace  through  his  atoning  blood.  This 
is  my  testimony  ;'  with  emphasis,  '  this  is  my  testimony  !' 

"  Not  long  after  this  precious  and  remarkable  testimony  of 
our  dying  brother,  (so  full  of  consolation  to  his  surviving 
friends,  so  gratifying  and  encouraging  to  the  children  of  God,) 
had  been  given,  so  anxious  was  his  nearest  friend,  that  while  he 
had  the  power  of  speech,  he  should  be  encouraged  to  employ 
it  for  the  honour  of  his  Lord,  that  I  said  to  him,  '  My  dear 
friend  and  brother,  now  that  you  are  upon  the  border  of  eter- 
nity, do  you  in  this  trying  hour  still  feel  the  supports  and 
consolations  of  that  faith  and  hope  which  you  have  preached 
to  others  V  He  answered,  '  Yes,  I  do — they  are  very  pre- 
cious to  me.'  I  asked,  '  Have  you  any  message  to  leave  for 
your  brethren  in  the  ministry  V  He  replied,  *  Yes,  it  is 
this  :  Be  faithful,  unmoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work 


372  MEMOIR   OF 

of  the  Lord  !'  This  answer  was  given  deUberately  ;  but  he 
spoke  with  great  difficulty,  and  we  were  unwilUng  to  subject 
his  already  exhausted  powers  to  the  painful  effort  of  answer- 
ing any  more  questions. 

"  After  this,  he  sunk  into  a  state  of  repose,  with  his  hands 
clasped  together  over  his  breast,  and,  (as  I  doubt  not,)  with 
a  heart  much  occupied  by  thoughts  of  heaven,  and  enjoying 
the  rich  pleasures  of  communion  with  God.  About  the 
dawn  of  day,  while  I  was  standing  by  his  bed-side,  he  open- 
ed his  eyes,  and  seemed  for  a  moment  surprised  to  find  him- 
self still  an  inhabitant  of  this  world — for  he  immediately 
said  to  me,  '  I  thought  I  should  have  been  at  home  before 
now  ;' — and  then,  as  if  he  feared  I  would  understand  him  as 
referring  to  his  earthly  home,  he  impressively  raised  his 
finger,  and  pointing  towards  heaven,  said,  '  there.'  This 
was,  I  believe,  the  last  connected  sentence  which  he  uttered 
before  he  was  indeed  admitted  to  his  home — that  '  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.' 

"  About  six  o'clock,  while  the  doctor  was  with  him,  he 
pronounced  the  name  of  Dr.  Mitchell,  his  beloved  friend 
and  physican  while  in  Philadelphia.  He  said  to  his  wife, 
'  Dr.  Mitchell — tell  him — tell  him — tell  him' — He  seemed 
anxious  to  send  him  a  special  message,  but  could  proceed  no 
farther.  His  vocal  organs  would  do  their  office  no  more. 
He  made  several  other  attempts  to  speak,  but  finding  them 
unavailing,  he  made  signs  for  paper  and  pencil,  and  with  a 
trembling  hand  wrote  the  words.  '  I  can't  make  you  hear.' 
Not  long  before  his  dissolution,  as  he  was  lying  upon  his 
back,  with  his  hands  clasped  upon  his  breast,  and  his  eyes 
intently  gazing  upwards,  I  remarked  to  him,  '  I  trust  the  eye 
of  your  faith  is  fixed  on  that  same  Jesus  whom  Stephen  saw 
standing  at  the  right  hand  of  God ;  and  that  his  prayer  is 
your's :  '  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit !'  Mrs.  B.  then 
asked,  '  My  dear,  do  you  see  Jesus  ?'  His  voice  could  give 
no  reply  :  but  disengaging  his  hands,  he  most  expressively 


4 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  373 

pointed  with  his  finger,  first  to  his  heart,  and  then  towards 
heaven.  When  the  last  moment  was  near  at  hand,  and  I  be- 
lieve the  parting  agony  had  commenced,  his  anxious  and 
affectionate  wife,  as  if  unwilling  that  this  delightful  spiritual 
intercourse  should  cease  till  he  ceased  to  breathe,  said  to  him, 
*  My  dear,  if  all  is  peace  still,  lift  your  finger,  or  give  some 
other  sign.'  His  finger  iv as  immediately  raised,  as  the  last 
indication  he  could  give  on  earth  that  the  Lord  was  with 
him ;  and  he  then  gradually  and  calmly  sunk  away  till  he 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  on  Saturday,  30th  of  August,  at  about 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  It  was  like  the  setting  of  the  summer 
sun,  clear,  serene,  brilliant. 

'*  My  full  heart  would  prompt  me  to  offer  many  reflections 
suggested  by  the  imperfect,  but  faithful  narrative  which  I 
have  now  given  of  the  last  hours  of  an  eminent  disciple  and 
minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  we  ardently  loved 
while  living,  and  now  sincerely  mourn  in  death.  But  the 
narrative  itself  speaks  more  powerfully  to  the  heart  than  any 
thing  which  I  could  utter  or  write. 

"  We  have  lost  a  friend  and  brother :  but  he  has  gone  to 
dwell  with  our  elder  brother,  whose  love  is  stronger  than 
death.  One  of  the  great  lights  of  Zion  has  been  extinguish- 
ed, but  He  still  lives  with  whom  is  '  the  fountain  of  light.' 
We,  in  our  ignorance,  see  not  how  his  place  can  be  made 
good  ;  but  Jehovah  Jireh — the  Lord  will  provide. 

*'  Instead,   therefore,   of  indulging  unavailing  sorrow  for 

the  decease  of  our  friend,  let  us  bless  God  that  he  was  made 

an  instrument  of  such  extensive  usefulness  while  living,  and 

was  enabled  to  seal  and  confirm  the  srlorious  doctrines  which 

he  had  preached,  by  such  a  clear  and  satisfactory  testimony 

in  death.     Let  us  pray  for  his  afflicted  family,  that  they  may 

enjoy  the  fulness  of  Christian  consolation  :  for  the  pious, 

numerous,  and  important  flock,  now  bereft  of  their  earthly 

shepherd,  that  the  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls  would 

provide  them  another  '  after  his  own  heart,'  who  shall  feed 

I  i 


374  MEMOIR   OF 

them  with  knowledge  and  understanding :'  and  for  the 
church  at  large,  that  He  who  '  loveth  Zion  more  than  all  the 
dwellings  of  Jacob,'  may  raise  up  another — yea,  a  mighty 
company  of  others,  who,  as  servants  of  the  altar,  may  dis- 
play as  much  humility,  zeal,  faithfulness  and  love  in  the  pre- 
cious work  of  the  gospel,  as  signalized  the  ministry  of  him 
who  now  rests  from  his  labours,  and  wears  his  immortal 
crown. 

"May  we,  my  dear  friend,  and  all  who  bear  a  part  in  the 
same  ministry  of  reconciliation,  show  our  respect  for  the 
memory  of  our  departed  brother,  by  complying  with  his 
dying  charge — Be  faithful,  unmoveable,  always  abound- 
ing IN  THE  WORK  OF  THE  LoRD  ! 

"  Yours,  aifectionately, 

*'  J.  P.  K.  Henshaw." 


*  The  following  beautiful  lines  were  written  by  one  of  the  youngef 
members  of  his  flock,  after  hearing  the  above  letter  read  in  the  funeral 
sermon,  which  was  preached  by  the  request  of  the  Vestry  of  St.  An- 
drew's Church. 

lAST  HOURS  OF  A  tAJIEXTED  PASTOR. 

Day  dawns.    The  first  grey  light  of  op'ning  morn 

Enters  the  chamber,  and  dispels  the  shades 

Of  silent,  solemn  night.     Yet  he  still  sleeps. 

How  peaceful  is  that  slumber  I    The  hands  are  gently 

Clasped  upon  the  breast — a  heavenly  smile 

Rests  on  the  lips — all  is  so  calm  and  still 

That  ye  might  well  suppose  the  spirit  to  have  flown. 

There  is  a  movement — 'Uow,  his  eyes  unclose — 

Marked  ye  that  look  of  sorrow  and  surprise  ? 

He  speaks — approach,  or  ye  will  ^ail  to  hear 

Those  soft,  faint  tones — "  I  thought  I  should  have  been 

At  home,  e'er  now."    Not  at  his  earthly  home— 

Oh  no.    The  uplifted  finger  points  towards 

Heaven,  he  softly  whispers, — "  TJiere." 

This  earth 
Has  never  been  a  home,  a  place  of  rest. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  375 

Thus  departed  in  honour  and  happiness  from  the  world,  in 
the  41st  year  of  his  age,  one  of  the  most  vahied  and  useful  mi- 
nisters of  the  gospel  that  has  ever  been  given  to  this  country. 
As  his  life  was  a  faithful  and  consistent  adorning  of  those 
gi'eat  principles  of  the  gospel  which  his  heart  embraced,  so 
his  departure  was  full  of  peace  and  comfort  derived  from 
them.     When  we  parted  with  him  in  the  summer  as  he  en- 


To  him  ;  but,  as  a  battle-field,  in  which 

To  fight  in  his  loved  Master's  cause ;  to  show 

Himself  faithful,  approved  ;  to  win 

A  heavenly  crown.     Long  has  his  spirit 

Struggled  to  be  free,  and,  oft  has  seemed 

As  on  the  wing  of  flight.    E'en  now  he  thought 

The  strife  was  o'er — that  he  would  ne'er  behold 

This  earth  again — but  would  awake  in  heaven. 

Yet  God  has  called  him  back. 

A  few  more  hours 
Have  passed — he  gazes  upward,  and  his  eyes 
Grow  bright,  with  an  unwonted,  heavenly 
Radiance.    "  Whom  dost  thou  see,  beloved  one  ? 
Does  thy  Redeemer  now  appear  ?"     He  strives 
To  speak,  but  the  words  die  away,  unheard. 
Yet  lo!  he  points,  first,  to  his  heart,  then,  upward. 
He,  whom  thou  lov'st,  is  near. 

'Tis  almost  o'er.     "Oh!  if  all  still  is  peace; 
If  on  the  bosom  of  thy  Lord,  thou  leanest, — 
Give  us  one  more  assurance — raise  thy  hand." 
The  sign  is  given.    Oh!  death,  where  is  thy 
Victory  ?    In  Jesus'  strength,  he  too  has 
Conquered  thee. 

Hast  thou  not  seen  the  summer 
Sun,  when,  sinking  in  the  west,  it  shed 
Its  last  bright  beams  upon  the  earth,  then  robed 
In  splendour,  hid  itself  from  view,  while  all 
Around  was  calm,  serene!     'Twas  thus  he  died. 
The  light,  which  shone  so  brightly  in  our  midst. 
Has  disappear'd  ;  but,  in  the  Saviour's  crown, 
For  ever,  as  a  briehter  star,  it  shines. 


376  MEMOIR    OF 

tered  upon  his  journey  to  Bedford,  he  appeared  to  have  little 
hope  of  any  restoration  himself.  His  plans  were  formed, 
and  his  thoughts  and  conversation  were  directed  to  a  speedy 
completion  of  his  work.  He  had  not  much  hope  of  benefit 
to  himself  from  this  journey,  but  felt  it  his  duty  to  do  all 
that  appeared  possible  to  be  done  to  prolong  his  service  for 
others.  He  was  manifestly  ripening  with  haste  for  a  calmer 
and  better  world.  As  his  body  wasted  and  sunk  in  the  pro- 
cess of  decay,  his  spirit  grew  more  humble,  his  conversation 
became  more  watchful  and  heavenly,  and  his  whole  aspect 
acquired  a  tranquilUty  and  sweetness  of  expression  which 
indicated  the  character  of  his  mind  within,  and  bade  us  pre- 
pare to  separate  from  him  in  a  last  earthly  farewell.  At  the 
knowledge  of  his  death,  the  Church  and  community  around, 
united  in  sincere  mourning  with  his  more  immediate  person- 
al friends,  and  all  acknowledged  the  consciousness,  that  in 
this  dispensation  "  a  great  man  had  fallen  in  Israel." 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  377 


CHAPTER    XII. 


FUNERAL TESTIMONIALS  OF  RESPECT  FOB  HIS  CHARACTER RET.  MR. 

SKOw's  INTRODUCTORT  ESSAX. 


The  earthly  remains  of  Dr.  Bedell  were  brought  from  Bal- 
timore to  Philadelphia  on  the  31st  of  August,  accompanied 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henshaw,  and  deposited  in  the  Church-yard 
of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  on  Tuesday,  the  2d  of  September, 
amidst  the  lamentations  and  sincere  condolence  of  a  nume- 
rous assembly  of  the  clergy  and  laity  of  all  denominations 
of  Christians  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  records  of  the  Vestry  of 
St.  Andrew's  Church,  exhibit  the  respect  and  affection 
which  they  entertained  for  their  Rector,  and  stand  as  monu- 
ments of  their  just  appreciation  of  his  piety  and  worth. 

"  A  Special  Meeting  of  the  Vestry  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  was  held  on  Saturday  evening,  August  30,  1834. 

"  It  was  stated  by  the  President,  that  the  meeting  was 
convened  in  consequence  of  intelligence  having  been  receiv- 
ed of  the  extreme  illness  of  Dr.  Bedell  at  Baltimore. 

"  On  motion.  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed 

to  proceed  to  Baltimore,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  state  of  the 

health  of  Dr.  Bedell,  and  make  the  necessary  arrangements 

for  his  removal,  or  otherwise. 

"  Mr.  Lex  and  Mr.  Cash  were  appointed  the  Committee." 

ii2 


378  MEMOIROF 

"A   Special   Meeting   of  the   Vestry   of  St.    Andrew's 
Church,  was  held  on  Sunday  afternoon,  August  31,  1834. 

*'  The  Committee  appointed  at  the  Special  Meeting  of  the 
30th  inst.  to  proceed  to  Baltimore,  made  report  that  they  had 
progressed  on  their  journey  to  the  distance  of  a  few  miles 
below  Frenchtown,  when  they  met  the  morning  boat  from 
Baltimore,  and  received  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Dr. 
Bedell,  which  occurred  in  Baltimore,  at  the  house  of  Hugh 
Boyle,  Esq.,  on  Saturday  the  30th  inst.  at  nine  o'clock 
A.  M.,  and  that  his  remains  and  his  family  were  on  board  of 
the  boat  on  their  return  to  the  city  ;  the  Committee  imme- 
diately joined  them,  and  arrived  at  the  late  dwelling  of  the 
deceased  between  three  and  four  o'clock  this  afternoon,  ac- 
companied by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henshaw,  of  Baltimore. 

"  On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  funeral  of  the  late  Rector 
be  fixed  for  Tuesday  next,  at  three  o'clock  P.  M. 

"  On  motion,  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed 
to  superintend  the  funeral;  whereupon  Messrs.  Lex,  Steven- 
son, Robins,  and  Cash,  were  appointed  that  Committee. 

"At  a  Stated  Meeting  of  the  Vestry,  held  on  Tuesday, 
the  2d  September,  the  following  resolution  was  unanimously 
adopted : — 

^^  Resolved,  That  in  affectionate  demonstration  of  their 
veneration  and  respect  for  the  memory  of  their  late  Pastor, 
the  Vestry  record  their  grateful  sense  of  the  important  pas- 
toral services  he  has  rendered  to  the  large  and  flourishing 
congregation  raised  by  his  efforts,  during  the  period  of  eleven 
years  he  has  ministered  to  them — of  his  ardent  zeal  and 
untiring  labours  in  their  behalf,  and  of  the  distinguished  in- 
fluence with  which  his  services  and  eloquence  enabled  him 
to  advance  the  interests  generally  of  piety  and  religion.  To 
his  own  flock  he  was  a  faithfully  devoted  and  talented 
spiritual  guide,  and  to  our  Episcopal  communion  '  a  burning 
and  a  shining  light.' 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  379 

"  Resolved,  That  all  expenses  incident  to  the  demise  and 
interment  of  the  late  Rector,  be  paid  by  the  Vestry." 

"At  a  Stated  Meeting  of  the  Vestry  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  held  2d  September,  1834,  the  following  resolution 
was  unanimously  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng  be  respectfully  re- 
quested to  deliver  to  the  congregation  of  St.  Andrew's,  at 
such  time  as  may  suit  his  convenience,  an  appropriate  dis- 
course on  the  dispensation  of  Providence,  which  has  severed 
the  earthly  ties  which  united  them  to  their  beloved  Pastor." 

The  venerable  Bishop  Moore  of  Virginia,  was  providen- 
tially in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  Sunday  after  the 
funeral,  and  preached  in  St.  Andrew's  Church.  The  fol- 
lowing was  the  concluding  passage  of  his  sermon : — 

"My  Brethren, — It  was  this  God  and  Saviour  to  whom  I 
have  called  your  attention  this  morning,  w^ho   constituted 
the  dependance  of  your  departed  pastor.     You  are  the  wit- 
nesses of  the  fidelity  with  which  he  discharged  his  important 
duties.     You  are  the  people  for  whom  he  laboured,  and  for 
whose   present   and   eternal    happiness  he   most   ardently 
prayed.     Remember,  I  beseech   you,  oh !  remember  how 
often,  when  debilitated  by  that  disease  which  has  separated 
him  from  your  embrace,  you  have  seen  him  ascend  this  pul- 
pit, and  proclaim  to  you  with  a  seraph's  ardour,  the  riches 
of  redeeming  grace,  praying  you,  in  parental  accents,  to  take 
refuge  in  the  arms  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  be  re- 
conciled to  God.     Yes,  at  a  time  in  which,  from  the  languor 
of  his  countenance  and  the  feebleness  of  his  frame,  you  have 
been  led  to  conclude,  that  the  discourse  in  which  he  was 
engaged,  in  all  probability  would  prove  his  final  address  ;  at 
such  a  time,  you  have  seen  him  forget  that  feebleness,  and 
with  his  eyes  sparkling  with  affection  for  his  flock,  you  have 
listened  to  his  appeals,  and  have  silently  determined  to  take 


380  MEMOIR    OF 

up  the  cross  and  follow  Jesus  in  the  way.  Are  there  not  I 
would  affectionately  inquire, — are  there  not  those  present  in 
whose  minds  such  resolutions  have  been  formed,  and  who, 
notwithstanding  such  resolutions,  have  delayed  the  surrender 
of  themselves  to  the  Almighty  ?  If  such  is  the  case  with 
any  individual  before  me,  permit  me,  I  beseech  you,  my 
brother,  permit  me,  my  sister,  to  press  the  consideration  of 
eternity  upon  your  conscience,  and  to  beseech  you  in 
Christ's  stead  to  be  reconciled  to  God. 

"  Was  your  departed  pastor  permitted  at  this  moment  to 
address  you,  oh  !  how  affectionately  would  he  entreat  you 
to  listen  to  my  counsel,  and  to  take  instant  refuge  in  the 
bosom  of  the  Saviour !  Heaven,  he  would  tell  you,  is  richly 
worth  your  utmost  efforts,  and  no  sacrifice  of  worldly 
pleasure  or  gratification  can  be  too  great  in  a  cause  so  im- 
portant as  your  souls'  salvation.  My  beloved  brethren, 
hesitate  no  longer,  I  beseech  you.  Time  is  on  the  wing ; 
to-morrow  may  be  too  late  ;  now  is  the  accepted  time,  this 
is  the  day  of  salvation. 

"Finally  :  I  cannot  close  my  subject  without  returning  my 
sincere  thanks  to  the  Vestry  of  this  Church,  and  to  his 
unwearied  physician,  for  their  kindness  to  my  beloved 
nephew.  Your  attention  to  him  during  all  his  bodily  in- 
disposition, reflects  the  highest  honour  upon  you  as  a  con- 
gregation. Your  attention  to  his  memory  since  his  decease, 
proclaim  in  language  which  cannot  be  misunderstood,  the 
ardency  of  your  attachment  to  him  and  to  his  family.  The 
cypress  in  which  this  sacred  temple  is  clad,  conveys  to  the 
passing  stranger  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held,  and 
speaks  volumes  in  favour  of  the  love  you  still  entertain  for 
your  departed  pastor. 

"  May  the  Almighty,  my  brethren,  direct  your  attention 
to  a  suitable  successor,  and  provide  you  with  a  faithful  shep- 
herd. Finally,  my  beloved,  in  the  words  of  the  Apostle  I 
bid  you  for  a  season  an  affectionate  farewell.     Be  perfect ; 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  381 

be  of  good  comfort ;  be  of  one  mind;  live  in  peace,  and  the 
God  of  love  and  peace  will  be  with  you." 

The  funeral  sermon  was  preached  at  the  request  of  the 
Vestry,  a  few  weeks  after.  One  of  the  most  respectable  of 
the  daily  papers  in  Philadelphia  thus  noticed  the  occasion  : — 

"  The  late  Br.  Bedell. — The  numerous  references  to  the 
name  and  character  of  Dr.  Bedell,  which  have  appeared  in 
our  columns  since  his  death,  are  but  spontaneous  tributes  of 
respect  and  affection  from  a  few  of  the  many  by  whom  he 
was  loved  and  revered.  The  interest  which  has  been 
excited  by  his  departure,  and  the  expressions  of  grateful  re- 
spect for  his  memory  which  it  has  elicited,  have  been  so 
general  and  so  strikingly  exhibited,  as  to  surprise  even  those 
who  knew  him  best  and  appreciated  him  most  highly.  On 
the  occasion  of  deliverino^  his  funeral  sermon,  bv  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Tyng,  at  St.  Andrew's  Church,  on  Sunday  last,  the 
Church  was  filled  even  to  the  occupancy  of  every  spot  in  the 
aisles  and  galleries.  Hundreds  who  sought  admittance, 
many  of  them  before  the  hour  of  divine  service,  were  obliged 
to  go  away  without  success.  The  services  were  most 
solemn  and  impressive,  and  manifestly  produced  a  deep  feel- 
ing in  the  hearts  of  the  assembled  multitude.  The  sermon 
of  Dr.  Tyng  was  entirely  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  faith- 
fully delineating  the  character  of  the  deceased  as  a  minister 
of  Christ  and  as  a  Christian,  and  commending  him,  in  the 
former  relation,  to  the  remembrance.,  in  the  latter,  to  the 
imitation  of  his  people.  The  vestry  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  at  whose  request  the  sermon  was  preached,  have, 
we  believe,  requested  a  copy  of  it  for  publication." 

The  personal  appearance  of  Dr.  Bedell  is  beautifully  por- 
trayed in  the  following  extract  from  the  Religious  Souvenir 
of  1835,  written  by  one  who  had  long  known  and  watched 
over  him  as  his  intimate  friend  and  his  kind  physician,  and 


382  MEMOIR    OF 

who  describes  a  pastor  introduced  into  his  story  from  his 
recollection  of  him. 

"  He  was  yet  in  the  prime  of  manhood;  but  sickness  had 
attenuated  his  middle-sized  frame,  blanched  his  cheek,  and 
scattered  white  hairs  among  the  dark  locks  on  his  temples. 
His  vast  forehead,  spreading  broadly  as  it  ascended,  and 
undulated  by  inequalities,  bespoke  capacity  and  taste,  while 
it  presented  a  strong  contrast  to  the  slender  face  beneath  it. 
His  large  gray  eye,  fringed  with  long  lashes,  gave  softness 
to  a  countenance  which  his  bony  cheeks,  and  large,  though 
very  expressive  mouth,  would  have  made  harsh  without 
them.  His  hair,  long  and  lank,  was  combed  back  from  the 
top  towards  the  left  ear,  and  the  side  locks  stood  stiffly  for- 
ward along  his  temples,  and  projected  beyond  his  face.  A 
short,  tickling  cough,  indicated  the  seat  of  his  malady,  and 
the  knowledge  of  the  certainty  of  a  limited  life  gave  a  sweet 
solemnity  to  his  manner,  and  threw  a  melancholy  tenderness 
into  the  interest  acquired  with  his  people,  by  a  gentle,  active, 
irreproachable  deportment. 

"  Naturally  diffident  and  unobtrusive,  he  was  usually 
silent  in  company  ;  but  when  there  arose  occasion  for  speech, 
or  an  intimate  friend  excited  his  social  effijrts,  he  riveted 
attention,  commanded  conviction,  and  left  behind  a  pleasing 
and  a  beneficial  impression. 

"  There  was  in  every  part  of  his  conduct  that  noble  dis- 
regard of  self,  which  belongs  only  to  minds  of  the  highest 
order.  With  greater  physical  energy,  he  might  have 
sought,  as  a  missionary,  the  frozen  wastes  of  Greenland,  or 
the  pestilential  marshes  of  Africa.  Debarred  by  disease, 
partly  constitutional,  and  partly  acquired  by  clerical  labours, 
from  the  achievements  of  a  Swartz  and  the  sufferings  of  a 
Judson,  he  yet  shrunk  not  from  pastoral  efforts  beyond  his 
strength,  and  literary  labours  destructive  to  his  feeble  powers 
of  life.     If  his  heart  bled  for  the  misfortunes  of  men,  his 


REV.     DR.    BEDELL.  383 

counsel  and  his  purse  were  alike  accessible  to  the  unhappy, 
and  out  of  his  little  store  he  spared  them  that  which  one 
more  circumspect  would  have  treasured  up  for  the  wants  of 
a  future  and  a  more  helpless  period.  If  he  had  a  fault,  it 
was  the  inability  to  postpone  the  necessities  of  others  to  his 
own  interest  or  convenience.  Though  this  might  have 
sprung  exclusively  from  the  forceful  faith  with  which  he 
leaned  on  the  promise,  that  the  children  of  the  righteous 
shall  not  be  exposed  to  neglect  and  poverty,  yet  there  was 
evidently  a  kind  and  disinterested  nature,  yielding  fruits  the 
richer,  for  a  more  direct,  divine  irradiation. 

"  The  extent  of  his  benefaction  was  not  limited  by  his 
personal  ability.  Never,  perhaps,  lived  there  a  being  who 
possessed,  in  a  higher  degree,  the  power  of  eliciting  the 
charity  and  the  patronage  of  others.  He  collected  around 
him  meritorious  men,  in  a  great  variety  of  useful  pursuits, 
and  obtaining  money  for  some,  countenance  for  many,  and 
the  best  counsel  for  all,  he  promoted  not  only  the  personal 
prosperity  of  the  individuals,  but  the  highest  interests  of 
society.  Few  approached  him  for  the  first  time  without 
benefit,  and  scarcely  any  afterwards,  without  feeling  the 
usual  regard  for  the  minister,  enhanced  by  the  most  agree- 
able recollections  of  unlooked-for  kindness,  and  gracefully 
given  services. 

"  Remarkable  as  were  these  many  traits  of  excellence,  it 
was  in  the  pulpit  that  the  pastor  shone  with  the  brightest 
lustre.  Clear,  simple,  chaste,  logical,  impassioned,  he  com- 
bined the  most  opposite  qualities  ;  and  although  reduced  al- 
most to  a  skeleton  by  consumption,  his  magnificent  voice, 
with  its  clear  enunciation  and  diversified  intonation,  could  be 
heard  at  an  almost  incredible  distance.  Here  there  was  no 
diffidence  apparent.  The  ambassador  of  God,  speaking  under 
his  authority,  to  his  sinful  creatures,  knew  no  fear,  and  prac- 
tised no  deference.  Hopes  of  heaven,  fears  of  hell,  the  beauty 
of  holiness,  the  deformity  of  sin,  the  goodness,  the  mercy 


384  MEMOIR   OF 

and  the  justice  of  God,  were  in  turn  his  theme ;  and  never 
did  his  people  hear  abler  expositions,  or  more  affectionately 
eloquent  appeals.  His  success  in  his  lofty  mission  had  been 
proportionate  to  the  means,  and  he  had  the  happiness  of  col- 
lecting around  him  a  people  sound  in  faith  and  zealous  of 
good  worksy 

From  the  same  pen,  the  following  obituary  notice  was 
published  in  the  daily  papers  of  Philadelphia,  soon  after  the 
death  of  Dr.  Bedell. 

"  Those  who  knew  Dr.  Bedell,  solely  through  his  litera- 
ry productions  and  his  clerical  reputation,  must  have  felt  sur- 
prised at  the  announcement  of  his  age.  That  he  who  had 
poured  such  an  abundant  treasure  from  the  press,  and  so 
long  held  the  highest  place  in  pulpit  oratory,  should  have 
reached  only  to  twoscore  years,  is  indeed  matter  of  wonder ; 
but  when  we  know,  that  for  at  least  fifteen  years  he  has  con- 
tended with  a  malady  which  seldom  permitted  a  single  day 
of  entire  comfort,  we  are  doubly  impressed  with  astonish- 
ment at  the  labours  endured,  and  the  works  executed  by 
him. 

*'  The  mystery  is  easily  explained,  however,  when  it  is 
known,  that  he  lived  with  the  single  purpose  of  serving  his 
Divine  Master,  and  that  though  possessed  of  a  facility  and 
versatility  of  talent,  which  would  have  seduced  almost  any 
other  man  into  procrastination,  he  seldom  lost  the  little  frac- 
tions of  time,  so  generally  squandered ;  but  in  every  place, 
and  at  all  seasons,  was  accustomed  to  seize  his  pen  and  re- 
cord his  thoughts.  He  has  been  often  seen  in  his  vestry 
room,  in  the  midst  of  his  friends,  immediately  after  laborious 
public  duty,  committing  to  paper,  hints  for  future  sermons, 
or  anticipated  publications.  This  economy  of  time,  too,  was 
practised  by  the  man  who  has  more  than  once  written  out  an 
entire  sermon  at  a  single  sitting.     Valuable  as  he  was  in 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  385 

Other  respects,  in  none  has  Dr.  Bedell  exhibited  a  more  use- 
ful and  a  rarer  lesson. 

"  In  another  respect,  he  presented  a  delightful  model. 
Originally  kind,  gentle,  and  most  affectionate,  his  heart  did 
not  lose  the  freshness  and  force  of  feeling  as  it  became  ne- 
cessary to  expand  his  regards  over  a  wider  surface — nor  did 
increasing  years  abate  the  vigour  of  his  sentiments.  For  his 
fellow  men,  as  well  as  for  his  friends  and  his  family,  there 
v/as  a  constantly  increasing  interest ;  and  as  his  religion 
burned  more  and  more  intensely,  so  did  his  love  for  his 
'  neighbour'  grow  stronger  and  stronger ;  and  while  he  learn- 
ed to  love  his  God  with  all  his  soul,  he  did  not  forget  to 
prize  his  fellows  as  himself. 

"  It  was  this  two-fold  affection,  which,  through  the  grace 
of  God,  kept  him  from  feeling  elated  by  the  successful  ser- 
vice of  the  temple,  and  the  flattering  suffrages  of  the  world. 
His  humility  grew  with  his  fame  and  his  usefulness,  and 
then  most  did  he  give  the  glory  to  his  Master,  when  he  was 
most  eminent  in  the  eyes  of  men.  The  nearer  he  drew  to 
heaven,  and  the  more  his  labours  resulted  in  good  and  great 
effects,  the  more  did  he  lament  the  feebleness  of  the  efforts, 
compared  with  the  greatness  of  the  cause,  and  thank  the 
Giver  of  every  good  gift,  that  the  progress  of  his  kingdom 
was  not  left  to  any  arm  of  flesh. 

"  That  remarkable  humiUty  gave  a  peculiar  grace  to  his 
natural  gentleness  of  manner  and  character.  He  was  the 
gentlest  of  human  beings,  and  while  perfectly  fearless  in  the 
execution  of  his  high  functions,  always  preferred  persuasion 
to  command,  and  desired  rather  to  lead,  than  to  drive  the  sin- 
ner to  repentance.  In  an  intimate,  almost  daily  intercourse 
for  more  than  ten  years,  the  writer  of  this  article  never  re- 
ceived from  him  a  harsh  or  hasty  observation,  although  mat- 
ters of  the  deepest  interest  were  frequently  subjects  of  dis- 
cordant opinion.     The  dogmatic  manner  so  frequently  the 

result  of  pulpit  declamation,  never  infected  him,  and  all  his 

K  k 


386  MEMOIR   OF 

intimate  friends  will  agree  in  the  opinion,  that  he  was  entirely 
free  from  this  very  common  fault  of  those  who,  in  any  pro* 
fession,  are  frequently  privileged  to  assert  without  hazard  of 
direct  contradiction. 

"  His  singleness  of  heart,  and  force  of  religion,  made  Dr. 
Bedell  eminently  practical.  The  speculations  which  might 
illustrate  the  man  were  avoided  for  the  services  which  might 
save  the  sinner,  and  that  only  seemed  important  in  his  eyes, 
which  promised  to  advance  practically  the  mighty  cause  in 
which  he  had  embarked  his  energies,  and  to  which  he  sacri- 
ficed, first  his  health,  and  then  his  life.  Every  thing  was 
turned  by  him  to  religious  account.  He  edited  a  newspa- 
per— it  was  a  Christian  Register.  He  wrote  a  review — it 
was  to  bring  the  example  and  precepts  of  Heber  attractively 
before  his  readers.  He  published  a  Souvenir — it  was  to 
press  the  popular  annuals  into  the  service  of  religion.  He 
was  a  chief  builder  up  of  Bristol  College — '  It  was  to  disci- 
pline and  instruct  new  soldiers  of  the  cross  for  that  strife  in 
which  he  could  not  long  hope  himself  to  be  a  combatant.' 
He  greedily  devoured  the  literature  of  the  day — it  was  to 
select,  re-publish,  and  spread  abroad  whatever  was  promotive 
of  morals  and  illustrative  of  piety.  Every  one  who  exa- 
mines the  shelves  of  the  booksellers,  finds  the  name  of  Dr. 
Bedell  on  the  title-page  of  a  very  large  portion  of  the  most 
saleable  religious  books.  His  tact  in  this  was  unquestiona- 
ble ;  and  his  selection  was  considered  a  sufficient  warrant 
for  republication,  his  name  an  adequate  proof  of  popular  fit- 
ness. 

"  With  such  qualities,  who  could  fail  to  prove  interesting 
and  instructive  in  the  pulpit?  But  Dr.  Bedell  had  also  ele- 
gant taste,  chaste  gesture,  and  a  pleasing,  powerful,  and  clear 
enunciation.  With  such  advantages,  with  heart-felt  convic- 
tion of  the  truth  and  paramount  importance  of  his  subject, 
forgetful  of  self,  and  looking  only  to  his  audience,  he  never 
failed  to  make  a  strong  and  permanent  impression.     Under 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  387 

such  circumstances,  those  who  knew  him  best,  and  heard 
him  most  frequently,  felt  him  most  forcibly.  He  was  an 
unrivalled  every-day  preacher.  Never  aiming  at  single 
great  efforts,  he  never  fell  into  mediocrity.  Although  his 
'  occasional'  sermons  exhibited  rare  powers,  it  was  necessary 
to  hear  him  often,  to  know  the  full  influence  of  his  elo- 
quence. The  stream  of  his  mind  seldom  dashed  from  the 
cataract,  or  foamed  in  the  rapids.  Clear,  gentle,  pure,  it 
was  always  beautiful,  seldom  wild  or  irregular.  It  delighted 
not  in  the  rock  and  the  whirlpool,  but  loved  to  stray  along  the 
cultivated  fields,  and  amidst  verdant  meadows,  where  it  could 
fertilize  the  one,  and  irrigate  the  other.  Judging  of  oratory 
by  its  effects,  his  was  of  the  highest  order,  for  he  reared  St. 
Andrew's  from  its  foundations ;  and  that  Church,  with  its 
overflowing  people,  its  numerous  societies,  its  rich  donations, 
•its  thousand  scholars,  is  the  very  point  to  which  the  Episco- 
pal public  turns  for  an  example  of  active  good  and  extended 
usefulness.  It  was  the  product  of  the  labour  of  eleven 
years,  during  all  which  time  he  was  under  the  lash  of  dis- 
ease, often  painful,  always  oppressive. 

"  But  in  spite  of  a  feeble  constitution  and  superinduced 
sickness,  literary  labours,  and  general  engagements,  the  first 
Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church  has  left  it  in  a  state  of  the  high- 
est religious  prosperity,  after  a  progress  most  harmonious,  at  a 
period  when  the  dissensions  of  the  church-general,  rendered 
it  difficult  to  maintain  the  peace  and  good  order  of  individual 
communities. 

"  His  year  has  closed  almost  in  its  spring,  but  the  fruits 
were  mingled  with  the  blossoms,  and  amidst  the  buds  and 
flowers  of  the  earlier  season  we  hail  the  ripened  grain,  and 
the  rich  abundance  of  a  productive  autumn.  Who  then  shall 
lament,  that  'his  sun  has  gone  down  while  it  was  yet  day,' 
since  he  has  done  his  work,  and  avoided  the  ills  of  the  sun- 
set of  life  !  It  was  an  early,  but  not  a  premature  death — and 
indeed  his  influence  does  not  die  with  him,  for  its  lasting 


388  MEMOIR   OF 

memorials  are  every  where  abroad  in  the  Churches,  to  stimu- 
late piety  and  enliven  hope ;  and  to  prove,  that,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  great  ends  may  be  reached  by  apparently 
inadequate  means. 

*'It  is  scarcely  to  be  supposed  that  with  such  dispositions 
and  such  piety  as  were  possessed  by  Dr.  Bedell,  his  social 
circle  could  fail  to  be  peculiarly  interesting.  Gentle  man- 
ners, warm  affections,  sprightly  friendships,  were  there  in  a 
degree  scarcely  ever  found  in  our  darkened  world.  His  wife 
was  his  highest  and  most  cherished  friend  and  confidant ;  his 
children  feared  only  to  wound  him,  and  his  friends  crowded 
round  him  with  a  full  assurance  of  a  welcome,  at  once  warm 
and  sincere.  It  was  indeed  impossible  to  enter  his  domestic 
circle,  without  feeling  how  much  its  enjoyments  were  height- 
ened and  purified  by  the  sacred  spirit  of  its  head,  and  the 
habitual  kindness  of  its  inmates.  His  widowed  wife  and  his 
orphan  children  have  lost,  not  only  their  stay,  but  their  pre- 
ceptor and  companion.  Yet  if  they  mourn,  they  have  the 
certainty  of  his  happiness  to  console,  and  his  bright  example 
to  support  them.  They  are  the  legacy  of  the  righteous  man, 
and  will  they  not  participate  in  the  promise  that  they  shall 
not  be  deserted?" 

Amidst  the  many  letters  of  condolence  and  affection  to  his 
widow  and  family,  which  the  death  of  Dr.  Bedell  produced, 
I  have  thought  the  two  following  of  sufficient  interest  to  be 
inserted  in  his  biography.  The  first  is  from  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Smith  of  Kentucky;  the  other  from  a  highly  re- 
spectable clergyman  of  Connecticut. 

"Lexington,  Ky.  Sept.  10,  1834. 

"  My  Dear  Afilicted  Friend, — 

"  The  blow  which  you  have  long  dreaded,  has  at  length 
fallen  upon  you,  then !  Your  dearest  and  best  earthly  friend 
so  long  afflicted,  has  at  length  been  taken  away  from  you. 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  389 

As  to  the  suddenness  of  the  blow,  I  suppose  that  you  were 
as  Httle  prepared  for  it,  as  if  his  frail  body  had  not  been  so  con- 
tinually threatened  with  dissolution;  but  as  to  your  prepara- 
tion of  heart  for  the  event,  I  doubt  not,  that  your  many  pre- 
vious warnings  and  fears  have  been  sent  by  your  heavenly 
Father,  gradually  to  familiarize  your  mind  with  your  great, 
your  irreparable  loss,  and  one  by  one  to  sunder  the  thousand 
cords  which  bound  your  heart  to  him,  and  to  the  earth. 

*'  It  is  but  a  few  hours  since  this  sad  news  has  reached  us, 
through  the  daily  papers,  and  a  letter  from  Dr.  Cooke.  I 
would  not  suffer  even  a  day  to  pass  without  expressing  my 
affectionate  sympathy  with  you  in  your  great  loss.  Though 
it  M^as  the  delight  of  our  friend  to  show  kindness  to  all,  there 
were  few  who  had  received  greater  or  more  affecting  tokens 
of  that  kindness  than  myself.  Even  at  this  distance  of  time 
and  place,  I  shall  miss  him  sadly;  how  much  more  if  I  were 
in  Philadelphia.  And  oh!  how  inconceivably  more  must  he 
be  missed  by  his  family  and  his  people  !  May  He  who  hath 
so  sorely  smitten,  graciously  bind  you  up. 

"And  yet  this  blow,  like  all  others,  from  the  gentle  hand 
of  our  God  and  Father,  has  many  mitigations.  What  minis- 
ter, like  him  whom  we  now  mourn,  ever  retained  so  high  a 
measure  of  popularity,  unimpaired  till  death? — or  was  per- 
mitted, through  so  much  weakness,  to  keep  up  his  plans  and 
labours  so  nearly  to  the  very  last  ? — or  under  so  many  great 
disadvantages  of  bodily  infirmity,  devised  and  accomplished 
so  much  good  ? — or  was  so  wonderfully  spared  until  his 
son  had  passed  through  so  many  of  the  greatest  dangers  of 
his  course  of  study  ? — or  left  a  fame  so  lofty  and  unsullied, 
as  the  inheritance  of  his  children  ?  But  why  do  I  dwell  so 
long  on  the  temporal  mitigations  of  your  loss.  The  great 
joy  is  that  he  is  safe,  whatever  may  become  of  us ! — that 
his  toils  and  sufferings  are  over,  whatever  we  may  yet  have 
to  endure  ! — that  his  reward  is  great  in  heaven,  though  for  a 

season  our  privation  and  loss  on  earth  is  so  very  great ! — that 

K  k  2 


390  MEMOIR   OF 

He  who  begun  a  good  work  in  him,  on  a  scale  so  beneficial  to 
the  world,  hath  carried  it  on  unto  this  day  of  its  complete- 
ness ! 

"In  my  frequent  sorrows,  and  in  my  last  and  greatest, 
this  thought  has  often  refreshed  me : — A  Christian  ought 
never  to  regret  any  thing  that  makes  the  world  appear  in  its 
naked  worthlessness  ;  nothing  that  makes  the  gospel  and  the 
Saviour  appear  more  precious  to  us  !  And  surely  our  great 
afflictions  have  this  effect.  Never  did  that  gospel,  which  he 
preached  with  such  feeling,  power,  and  success  to  others, 
appear  more  exceedingly  precious  to  our  friend  than  when 
he  was  called  to  die.  In  this  your  greatest  necessity,  may 
the  blessed  Saviour  manifest  himself  to  you  more  clearly 
than  ever,  and  made  you  feel  that  he  is  indeed  precious ! 
May  the  sweet  promises  of  God's  word,  addressed  to  the 
widow  and  the  fatherless,  be  your  solace  and  treasure, 
and  those  of  your  children  also ;  until  those  who  have  been 
so  much  one  on  earth,  shall  indeed  be  one  for  ever  in  heaven ! 

"  Remember  me  kindly  to  Miss  T ,  and  convey  my 

best  blessing  to  the  precious  fatherless  ones.    If  Miss  T , 

or  Miss  W ,  would  favour  me  with  a  few  particulars 

which  I  shall  not  learn  by  the  pubUc  prints,  they  would  be 
grateful  to  the  feelings  of  cme  who  mourns  for  the  departed, 
as  for  a  friend  and  brother  beloved. 

"  That  all  the  benefits  and  consolations  of  sanctified  affec- 
tion may  be  yours,  dear  madam,  is  the  fervent  prayer,  of 
your  affectionate  and  simpathising  Christian  brother, 

"B.  B.  Smith." 

"  Stratford,  Conn.,  Sept.  22,  1834. 
*'Dear  Madam, — 

"  I  would  not  intrude  upon  the  privacy  of  domestic  grief, 
or  by  any  advertence  to  that  providence  which  has  made  you 
a  widow,  and  your  children  fatherless,  be  the  instrument  of 
adding  a  single  pain  to  your  deeply  wounded  heart ;  yet  I 


REV.     DR.     BEDELL.  391 

cannot  in  justice  to  my  own  feelings,  refrain  from  tendering 
to  you  my  sympathies,  under  the  sore  bereavement  you,  and 
the  Church  of  our  affections  have  sustained,  in  the  removal 
by  death  of  your  excellent  and  extensively  beloved  husband. 

"  You  have  doubtless  experienced  unequivocal  evidence 
of  the  high  esteem  in  which  Dr.  Bedell  was  held,  in  the 
diocese  where  he  so  successfully  laboured;  and  the  sincere 
sorrow  which  is  felt  by  the  whole  Christian  community  on 
the  occasion  of  his  death.  What  you  have  seen  and  known 
there,  of  unfeigned  regret  for  his  loss,  to  the  Church  and  the 
cause  of  God  on  earth,  is  but  a  true  description  of  the  state 
of  feeling  on  this  subject,  in  this  Christian  community. 
You,  under  this  afflictive  providence,  have  the  sympathies 
and  the  prayers  of  very  many  Connecticut  Christians,  with- 
out regard  to  the  name,  or  denominations  to  which  they  are 
attached. 

*'  You  may  have  forgotten  the  interview  I  had  last  spring 
with  your  departed  husband,  in  Philadelphia.  Among  the 
many  who  were  continually  sharing  in  the  hospitalities  of 
his  house,  and  experiencing  the  warm  affection  of  his  heart, 
it  would  not  be  at  all  surprising,  if  you  were  not  able  to  re- 
collect me  and  others.  But  the  pleasures  of  that  interview  w41I 
never  be  forgotten  by  me.  It  has  been  a  source  of  gratifica- 
tion to  me  ;  and  of  devout  thanksgiving  to  heaven  on  my  part, 
that  I  was  permitted  thus  to  meet  with  him.  Especially  so 
710W,  as  it  was  the  last  opportunity,  which  I  could  have  had 
to  have  made  his  acquintance.  Then  it  seemed  as  though  I 
conversed  with  a  being  of  no  earthly  mould.  He  seemed  to 
me  as  one  who  stood  just  across  the  threshhold  which  sepa- 
rates the  spirits  of  the  blessed  from  the  imperfections  and 
ignorance  of  humanity.  To  all  appearance  he  was  then  fast 
going  to  his  blessed  home.  And  Avhile  we  would  for  your 
sake,  and  the  sake  of  his  bereaved  family  and  weeping  flock, 
and  for  the  sake  of  the  Redeemer's  cause,  have  detained  him 
longer  in  this  world ;  on  his  account  we  rejoice  that  he  has 


392  MEMOIR   OF 

been  permitted  to  enter  upon  his  eternal  rest, — your  loss, 
and  the  loss  which  the  Church  has  sustained,  is  his  gain. 

"  May  the  rich  legacy  he  has  left  you  and  yours,  by  that 
holy  life  he  lived  ;  and  those  fervent  and  effectual  prayers  he 
offered  up  in  you  behalf,  be  ever  duly  prized.  Let  a  con- 
sideration of  these  things  check  every  murmuring  thought, 
and  fill  you  with  gratitude  and  praise  to  Him  who  has  taken 
only  what  He  gave.  May  his  bright  example  so  live  in 
your  memory,  and  ever  be  so  before  your  children,  that  you 
and  they  like  him  may  accomplish  the  work  which  heaven 
appoints,  and  at  last  in  God's  own  good  time,  as  a  redeemed 
and  sanctified  family,  meet  where  you  shall  part  no  more, 
and  engage  together  in  the  delightful,  the  holy  employments 
of  the  upper  world. 

"  My  wife,  though  she  has  not  the  pleasure  of  an  acquaint- 
ance with  you,  unites  with  me  in  wishing  you  every  conso- 
lation and  support,  under  your  bereavement. 

"  I  am,  Dear  Madam,  very  truly  yours, 

"  George  C.  Shepard. 

''Mrs.  G.  T.  Bedell." 

The  decease  of  Dr.  Bedell  also  called  forth  many  cordial 
demonstrations  of  respect  from  tlie  various  religious  institu- 
tions and  societies  with  which  he  had  been  connected.  They, 
with  letters  of  condolence  from  individuals,  are,  however,  so 
numerous,  that  it  has  not  appeared  to  me  necessary  to  insert 
them.  The  views  of  his  character  however,  which  are  taken 
in  the  introduction  to  the  London  edition  of  his  biography, 
by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Snow,  Rector  of  St.  Dunstan's  in  the 
West,  London,  are  so  accurate  and  excellent,  and  the  whole 
article  displays  so  much  that  is  interesting  and  honourable  in 
the  character  of  the  excellent  writer  of  that  introduction,  that 
I  have  followed  both  my  conviction  of  duty,  and  my  own 
feelings,  in  its  insertion  as  the  conclusion  of  the  present 
volume. 


REV.    DR.  BEDELL.  393 

INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

"  The  various  memoirs  of  the  lives  of  pious  ministers  of  religion 
which  have  of  late  years  been  published,  have  been,  I  conceive,  a  great 
blessing  to  the  Church  ;  and  the  avidity  w^ith  which  such  memoirs 
have  been  purchased,  has  shown  us  that  in  the  form  of  biography,  the 
lessons  of  religion  are  peculiarly  acceptable  to  men.  God  himself,  in 
his  holy  word,  has  taught  us  much  through  the  histories  of  men  of 
like  passions  with  ourselves,  and  has  recommended  that  mode  of  in- 
struction to  our  use,  as  being  more  easy  and  agreeable  to  a  large  class 
of  mankind  than  any  other. 

"  Who  can  tell  how  useful  the  lives  of  such  persons  as  Mr.  Scolt 
and  Mr.  Venn  may  have  been  to  the  Church,  as  exhibiting  such  bright 
examples  of  integrity,  and  singleness  of  mind,  and  devotedness  to 
God,  from  the  first  day  of  their  conversion,  to  the  closing  hour  of 
their  lives  ?  •  Who  can  read  these  lives,  with  a  desire  to  be  instructed 
by  them,  without  perceiving  the  reality  and  the  pow^r  of  true  godli- 
ness, and  without  learning  lessons  of  usefulness  for  every  department 
almost  in  lifel  Their  letters,  addressed  to  persons  under  such  varied 
circumstances;  their  conduct,  so  holy  and  self-deny iiig  ;  their  strug- 
gles against  sin  and  the  world  so  successful,  are  full  of  instruction 
that  may  be  beneficial,  not  to  ministers  only,  but  to  all  private  Chris- 
tians. None  can  tell  but  God  himself,  how  much  the  biography  of 
pious  ministers  may  have  helped  to  prepare  the  way  for  that  revival  of 
religion  in  the  Church,  which  appears  so  happily  to  have  commenced, 
and  to  be  spreading  itself  in  all  directions.  The  letters  of  Mr.  Venn 
to  his  children  of  different  ages,  to  his  friends  in  prosperity  and  adver- 
sity, to  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  his  love  to  all  mankind,  and  his 
affectionate  watchfulness  over  his  flock,  his  household,  and  every  ser- 
vant in  it,  all  conspire  to  show  us  what  a  lovely  thing  the  Christian 
religion  is,  and  make  us  long  for  that  blessed  time  when  the  power  of 
Christ  will  be  universally  acknowledged. 

"  In  some  of  the  lives  of  the  most  eminent  servants  of  God,  there 
has  been  a  very  prominent  exhibition  of  their  inward  conflicts,  trials, 
and  supports.  In  the  copious  extracts  of  diaries  never  intended  to  be 
published,  we  are  taught  much  that  may  be  beneficial  to  our  souls. 
We  are  admitted  by  the  reading  of  these,  into  a  knowledge  of  the  in-» 
tercourse  of  men  with  God,  and  in  their  conflicts  and  their  difficulties, 
we  become  convinced  of  their  sincerity,  and  perceive  from  living 
epistles,  as  well  as  from  the  word  of  God,  that  it  must  be  through 


394  MEMOIR   OF 

struggles  and  conflicts  that  we  are  to  obey  God,  and  enter  into  his 
kingdom.  In  the  lives  of  Henry  Martyn,  David  Brainerd,  and  Dr. 
Payson,  there  is  much  of  this  manifestation  of  the  inward  hfe  of  the 
Christian.  We  find,  however,  from  the  histories  of  these  devoted  ser- 
vants of  God,  that  when  they  were  called  to  their  ministerial  work, 
they  came  forth  from  their  trials,  not  to  exhibit  these  before  the  peo- 
ple, but  to  preach  Christ  to  them,  to  proclaim  the  terrors  of  the  day 
of  judgment,  and  the  sure  mercies  and  vast  provisions  of  the  covenant 
of  peace.  Their  conflicts  were  the  needful  discipline  of  God  for 
them  personally ;  in  their  ministry  the  fruit  of  these  is  felt,  but  the 
detail  of  them  is  not  given.  God's  dealings  with  them  in  their  cham- 
bers, and  in  their  hearts,  and  their  private  communion  with  him  there, 
and  his  with  them,  brought  them  forth  to  the  world  qualified  for  their 
work,  and  it  is  well  that  we  should  be  sometimes  made  acquainted 
with  these  exercises  of  the  closet  and  the  heart,  to  see  how  God 
teaches  men,  and  how  his  servants  learn  of  him.  Admitting  most 
fully  that  many  memoirs  of  the  private  details  of  the  closet,  in  pub- 
lishing the  diaries  which  the  writers  never  intended  for  the  public  eye, 
may  be  very  useful,  and  that  the  three  memoirs  especially  just  named, 
may  be  reckoned  amongst  the  precious  treasures  of  the  Christian's  li- 
brary, yet  am  I  persuaded  that  the  lives  of  eminent  servants  of  God, 
in  which  only  the  result  of  their  secret  teaching  appears  in  their  holy, 
sober,  and  diligent  labours,  are  exceedingly  useful  also.  In  the  life  of 
Dr.  Bedell,  what  we  see  is  the  result  of  divine  teaching  in  a  life  wholly 
devoted  to  God,  in  which  sobriety,  humility,  zeal,  faithfulness,  order, 
charity,  wisdom,  and  true  churchmanship,  are  blessedly  combined  in  a 
ministry  of  uncommon  usefulness. 

"  Throughout  the  Memoir,  we  see  less  of  the  man  and  more  of  the 
minister  of  God  in  his  constant  work,  than  in  any  Memoir  that  I 
know : — though  his  health  was  exceedingly  infirm,  we  have  no  de- 
scription of  his  illnesses — though  his  mind  was  sensitive  to  the  high- 
est degree,  and  the  opposition  to  him  very  considerable,  we  hear 
nothing  of  his  personal  sufferings, — but  we  find  him  labouring  con- 
stantly for  the  Lord,  as  if  none  of  these  things  could  move  him,  and 
as  if  obedience  to  God  and  a  crown  of  glory  were  the  constant  objects 
of  his  solicitude. 

"  At  what  time,  and  in  what  manner,  his  infirmities  and  trials 
pressed  upon  him,  we  are  not  told  :  for  his  biographer  has  written  his 
history  as  he  would  have  wished  to  have  it  written :  being  peculiarly 
reserved  in  giving  details  of  himself,  from  the  habit  of  devoting  him- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  395 

self  so  fully  to  the  consideration  of  others.  Dr.  Bedell  is  introduced 
to  us  as  mercifully  preserved  from  vice  in  youth ;  as  amiable  and 
generous,  highly  endowed  and  attractive,  and  eminently  obedient  to 
his  only  living  parent ;  but  considerably  under  the  influence  of  a  love 
of  the  world. 

"  With  what  views  he  entered  into  the  ministry  we  are  not  inform- 
ed.    He  was  remarkably  averse  through  his  whole  life  to  the  commu- 
nication of  his  own   feelings — but  as  his  views  of  divine  truth  were 
not  clear,  and  his  heart  not  fixed,  he  is  said  to  have  looked  back  with 
sorrow  and  shame  on  the  inconsistent  state  of  mind  with  which  he 
had  approached   the   sacred  office.     There  is  evidence,  however,  that 
Dr.  Bedell  began  his  ministry  with  some  seriousness  and   prayer,  and 
proof  abundant  that  he   gradually   advanced  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  and  attained  to  that  entire  devotedness  to  God,  which  every  man 
should  solemnly  implore  from  God  when  set  apart  for  the  ministry, 
and  for  which  he  ought  to  wait,  though  it  were  for  years,  rather  than 
be  ordained  without  it.     We  find  him,  when  his  views  were  cleared, 
and  his  heart  enlarged,  wonderfully  visited  with  the  divine  blessing,  in 
the  conversion  of  multitudes — in  building  up  an   united  flock  in  the 
faith  and  imitation  of  Christ — in  gathering  thousands  of  children  into 
schools,  and  watching  over  them  as  a  father  in  God  to  them — in  sup- 
porting public  institutions  for  the  extension  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord — in  providing  all  the  comforts  of  life  for  his  aged  father  and  his 
sisters — in  walking,  together  with  his  wife,  in  all  the  ordinances  of  the 
Lord  blameless — and   in  promoting  love  and   harmony  amongst  all 
Christian  people.     His  whole  life,  after  the  time  of  the  deepening  and 
enlarging  of  his  views  of  divine  grace,  appears  to   me  so  instructive 
and  exemplary,  that  I  earnestly  hope  a  great  benefit  to   the   Church 
may  result  from   the    publication  of  this  memoir  of  it.     It  is  calcu- 
lated to  show  the  lovers  of  order,  how  deep  and  powerful  a  zeal  may 
be  exercised  without  any  infringement  upon  the  order  that  they  love, 
and  to  show  the  zealous,  what  large  success  in  every  thing  their  hearts 
can  desire,  may  be  attained,  whilst  rules,  and  order,  and  discipline  are 
steadfastly  observed. 

The  sobriety  of  Dr.  Bedell's  life  appears  to  be  amongst  the  most 
remarkable  features  of  it :  one  cannot  fail  to  be  struck  with  this 
throughout  the  volume  before  us.  In  the  most  exciting  moments  he 
is  always  sober,  but  always  labouring  for  God,  and  awake  to  avail  him- 
self with  the  deepest  seriousness  of  all  passing  events  ; — for  instance 


396  _  MEMOIROF 

— when  the  cholera  made  its  appearance  at  Philadelphia,  he  does  not 
magnify  the  awful  fact,  nor  endeavour  to  increase  men's  fears  and 
terrors,  but  he  rather  endeavours  to  allay  these,  that  reason  and  reflec- 
tion may  be  exercised ;  and  then  soberly  and  seriously  to  exhort  his 
flock  to  prayer  and  humiliation, — to  activity  in  Christian  duty, — and 
to  a  reliance  on  the  sure  salvation  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  And  again, 
during  those  seasons  of  revival,  which  were  frequent  in  his  congrega- 
tion, the  sobriety  of  his  mind  is  more  remarkable  than  any  thing,  and 
I  can  scarcely  imagine  that  a  spiritually  minded  minister  could  read 
the  allusions  made  to  these  blessed  seasons,  without  being  encouraged 
to  pray,  and  look  for,  and  hope  for  similar  revivals  in  his  own  church, 
or  without  at  least  having  his  mind  divested  of  all  prejudice  against 
such  '  American  Revivals'  as  are  spoken  of  in  this  book. 

"  The  humility  also  of  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  is  manifested 
throughout.  Whenever  he  was  blessed  with  success,  thankfulness  to 
God  seems  to  be  his  chief  emotion.  All  glorying  seems  to  be  exclud- 
ed, both  from  his  judgment  and  his  heart.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife, 
when  mentioning  that  every  day  he  was  hearing  of  persons  who  were 
under  serious  impressions,  he  says,  '  Let  these  remarks  be  between 
ourselves,  and  let  God  have  all  the  glory ;  for  God  alone  can  give  the 
increase.'  And  when  speaking  of  the  great  enlargement  and  pros- 
perity of  his  schools,  he  seems  truly  to  feel  that  these  blessings  were 
effected  by  the  wonderful  providence  of  God.  He  is  not  conscious  of 
any  extraordinary  effort  on  his  part,  or  of  any  thing  except  that  of 
falling  in  cordially  with  the  evident  leadings  of  God  himself.  It  was 
safe  for  one  so  humble  as  he  was,  to  be  rendered  so  successful ;  God 
could  prosper  his  labours  without  injuring  his  soul,  because  he  knew 
and  felt  that  he  was  nothing  but  an  unprofitable  servant,  and  that 
whatever  good  is  done,  God  is  alone  the  doer  of  it. 

"  His  zeal  was  manifested  by  labours  most  abundant,  and  most  un- 
ostentatious, in  Sunday  schools  for  the  poor,  in  Bible  classes,  in  visits 
to  his  flock,  in  preparing  the  young  for  confirmation,  and  others  for 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  in  deeply  considering  the  causes 
of  spiritual  declension  in  individuals,  and  then  laying  these  before 
them  in  letters  of  argument  and  affection  ;  '  in  reproving,  rebuking, 
exhorting  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine.'  We  find  him  with 
more  than  a  thousand  children  in  his  Sunday  school,  and  with  seventy- 
five  gratuitous  teachers,  over  whom  he  watched  with  wisdom  and 
unceasing  diligence  and  prayer.    Nothing  has  struck  me  as  more  en- 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  397 

couraging',  and  more  entirely  imitable  by  ourselves,  if  we  had  but  his 
grace,  than  Dr.  Bedell's  labours  amongst  the  young,  with  whom  he 
was  not  content  with  teaching  them  the  forms  of  worship,  and  the 
letter  of  Christian  doctrine,  but  aimed  at  securing  their  hearts  for  God 
before  the  world  had  fixed  its  talons  into  them.  He  was  blessed  in 
this  aim  : — numbers  now  living  hold  him  in  their  heart's  dearest  re- 
membrance for  it ;  and  the  beautiful  instance  of  that  boy  mentioned, 
who,  before  a  fearful  operation,  prayed  for  patience,  then  for  his  mo- 
ther, and  his  sister,  and  the  Sunday  school,  and  then  yielded  himself 
up  to  his  suffering,  saying,  that  he  was  happy;  as  feeling  that  he  loved 
all  mankind,  shows  us  the  holy  character  of  the  religion  which  he 
had  imbibed. 

"  His  faithfulness  was  shown  not  only  in  his  public  ministry  of 
the  word,  but  in  his  watching  over  all  his  flock.  This  is  exemplified 
in  the  letter  which  he  sent  to  each  individual  who  was  about  to  leave 
the  city,  and  to  be  separated  from  the  usual  means  of  grace,  and  to  be 
exposed  to  new  temptations.  In  these  letters  his  advice  with  respect 
to  travelling,  and  the  observance  of  the  Sunday,  and  the  danger  of 
neglecting  prayer  and  meditation,  and  of  mixing  with  the  world  under 
new  circumstances,  is  so  admirable,  that  it  will,  I  doubt  not,  be  read 
by  many  with  advantage.  His  reproofs  likewise,  were  conveyed  by 
letter,  whenever  they  appeared  needful,  and  in  a  manner  so  delicate, 
yet  intelligible,  that  whilst  they  showed  him  to  be  the  faithful  over- 
seer, as  well  as  pastor  of  his  flock,  one  feels  on  reading  them  that  it 
would  be  almost  impossible  that  they  could  alienate. 

"And  then  his  charity  was  beautifully  displayed  in  his  conciliatory 
deportment  towards  those  who  were  not  Episcopalians,  and  between 
whom  and  the  members  of  his  Church  there  had  been  much  animosity 
before  his  time.  By  his  meekness  towards  all  men,  numbers  were 
drawn  to  attend  to  his  holy  ministry,  and  through  it,  those  who  had 
been  before  divided,  were  brought  to  feel  that  a  spirit  of  bitterness 
was  of  no  more  value  to  the  persons  that  entertained  it,  than  to  those 
against  whom  it  was  exercised . 

"  He  was  entirely  steadfast  in  his  principles ;  had  no  doubt  in  his 
own  mind  with  respect  to  them  ;  but  he  did  not  feel  that  he  was 
authorized  to  act  towards  those  who  differed  from  him  on  the  im- 
portant subject  of  Church  order  and  Church  unity,  as  if  himself 
were  infallible ;  he  united  therefore  with  them  in  Christian  friend- 
ship, and  believed  that  he  had  brethren  amongst    such,    whom  he 

l1 


398  MEMOIR   OF 

would  have  gladly  won  to  entire  unity  in  externals,  as  well  as  in 
spirit,  if  he  could  have  done  so  by  argument,  and  by  the  word  of 
God,  and  by  love  unfeigned,  and  by  his  example  ;  but  with  whom 
he  would  still  continue  to  unite  in  friendship  and  in  doing  good, 
so  long  as  it  should  be  possible,  even  though  the  desire  of  his 
heart  respecting  them  could  not  be  fully  realized.  But  the  brightest 
instance  of  his  peaceful  and  charitable  spirit  was,  I  think,  shown  in 
his  behaviour  in  reference  to  the  election  of  a  Bishop.  We  are  in 
this  country  exempted  from  such  trials  as  that  under  which  the 
clergy  around  Philadelphia  appear  to  have  suffered  so  much.  We 
may  see  from  this  Memoir  some  of  the  evils  which  would  result 
from  the  election  of  Bishops  by  the  inferior  clergy.  By  whatever 
authority  the  rulers  of  the  Church  ought  to  be  appointed — nothing 
I  conceive  could  be  more  unscriptural  than  that  they  should  ac- 
tually be  chosen  by  those  whom  they  are  to  govern.  We  see  in 
this  book  how  the  election  of  a  Bishop  divided  the  clergy  into  fac- 
tions, and  at  last  resulted  in  leaving  a  large  body  of  them  to  be 
governed  by  one  whose  election  they  had  resisted,  placing  them  in  a 
situation  most  unfavourable  to  that  confidential  fellowship  which 
ought  to  subsist  between  every  Christian  Bishop  and  the  Clergy 
whom  he  is  appointed  to  superintend  and  govern.  Under  the  great 
difficulty  however  of  seeing  the  person  whom  he  had  opposed  success- 
ful. Dr.  Bedell  immediately  sets  himself  to  obey  and  to  bring  those 
who  had  been  divided,  into  peace  and  harmony  under  the  new  Bi- 
shop ;  and  with  a  wisdom  and  love  that  were  given  to  him  from 
heaven,  he  succeeded  on  a  public  occasion,  shortly  after  the  election, 
in  drawing  at  once  into  the  warmest  attachment  to  himself  those 
who  had  been  before  opposed  to  him,  and  by  a  very  powerful  and 
affecting  address,  spread  an  influence  over  the  whole  assembly,  which 
seemed  to  unite  the  two  contending  parties,  and  fill  all  hearts  with 
thanksgiving  and  love. 

"  His  true  churchmanship  is  manifested  throughout  all  his  labours. 
It  is  true  we  find  him  affirming  that  he  was  an  advocate  for  low 
Church  principles,  and  I  greatly  regretted  the  expression,  under  the 
fear  that  it  might  be  misunderstood.  The  expression  has  reference 
to  a  controversy  between  Episcopalians  in  America,  in  which  he  did 
not  take  what  was  commonly  called  the  highest  ground.  He  was 
willing  to  co-operate  with  those  who  were  not  Episcopalians  in  many 
good  works,  and  was  glad  to  have  their  aflfection  and  to  give  them 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  399 

his.  He  was  however  deeply  persuaded  in  his  own  judgment,  that 
the  Episcopalian  form  of  Church  Government  was  the  scriptural 
one,  and  that  none  other  would  permanently  prosper ;  and  though 
the  work  he  had  before  him  in  establishing  schools,  and  calling  sin- 
ners to  repentance,  and  watching  over  the  personal  progress  of  his 
fiock,  appeared  so  urgent  at  Philadelphia,  that  he  had  seldom  preach- 
ed on  the  distinctive  principles  of  the  Church,  he  felt  that  he  had 
erred  in  this ;  and  from  his  observation  of  the  state  of  other  deno- 
minations throughout  Christendom,  he  bewailed  this,  and  determin- 
ed, if  God  had  spared  his  life,  to  preach  a  course  of  sermons  on 
Episcopacy  which  he  then  had  in  preparation. 

"  These  sermons  might  have  been  in  these  times  a  valuable  ac- 
quisition to  the  Church,  written  as  they  would  most  certainly  have 
been,  in  a  spirit  of  truth,  by  a  man  who  sought  truth  only,  and  who 
was  so  watchful  against  party  spirit,  and  endued  with  a  spirit  of 
such  fervent  love  towards  all  Christians.  They  might  have  helped, 
under  God,  to  have  drawn  numbers  in  this  country  from  the  dis- 
traction and  anarchy  of  dissent,  to  return  to  the  Church,  and  be 
blessed  in  it,  and  be  a  blessing  to  it,  and  to  make  men  feel  that 
there  should  be  one  body  as  well  as  one  spirit ;  that  in  Christ  Jesus 
there  must  be  an  exhibition  of  oneness  in  the  Church,  as  well  as  the 
reality  of  it,  in  order  to  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

"  Dr.  Bedell  was  devotedly  attached  to  the  principles  of  the 
Church  of  which  he  was  a  minister;  peculiarly  exact  and  regular  in 
the  discharge  of  all  her  services ;  walking  in  the  old  paths  of  primi- 
tive order,  and  according  to  the  early  usages  of  the  Apostolic 
Church.  This  was  exemplified  in  the  consequence  he  attached  to 
the  rite  of  Confirmation,  in  the  preparation  for  which,  according  to 
the  plan  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  he  was  successful  and  blessed 
beyond  any  person  I  ever  heard  of. 

"  Through  the  scandalous  carelessness  and  irreverence  with  which 
in  the  last  century  the  rite  of  Confirmation  was  frequently  observed 
in  this  country,  that  unspeakably  important  service  was  worse  than 
nugatory  to  those  who  outwardly  conformed  to  it,  and  was  treated 
with  great  contempt  by  Dissenters.  But  of  late  years  the  face  of 
things  in  the  Church  has  been  greatly  changed,  and  the  reasonable- 
ness of  the  requirement  that  Christians  should  consent  to  their  Bap- 
tism is  more  felt,  and  the  labours  of  the  clergy,  and  the  charges  of  the 
Bishops,  when  the  young  are  called  upon  to  set  their  seal  to  their 


400  MEMOIR   OF 

baptism  unto  Christ  in  their  own  persons,  have  been  signally  bless- 
ed of  God.  The  study,  however,  of  the  proceeding  and  spirit  of  Dr. 
Bedell,  in  his  devotedness  to  this  part  of  his  work,  may  be  most  edi- 
fying and  encouraging  to  the  clergy  in  all  countries. 

"  Dr.  Bedell's  attention  to  the  young  commenced  in  their  infant 
schools,  and  was  continued  until  the  time  when  they  were  judged 
admissible  to  confirmation.  His  arrangements  for  that  rite,  and  his 
lectures  to  the  candidates  who  were  about  to  submit  to  it,  are  referred 
to  by  a  person  who  had  been  confirmed  under  his  guidance ;  and  the 
recollection  of  the  holy  influence  that  pervaded  the  whole  assembly 
on  the  Sunday  when  he  gave  the  concluding  address  to  the  young 
candidates,  fills  his  heart  with  praises  and  thanksgivings  to  the  Holy 
Spirit  whilst  he  writes.  About  fifty  candidates  for  confirmation  were 
present,  the  confirmations  being  annual ;  and  there  was  reason  to 
hope  that  in  every  case  they  were  about  cheerfully,  deliberately,  and 
without  reserve,  to  dedicate  themselves  to  the  service  of  God. 

"  On  the  Sunday  following,  they  assembled  at  the  communion  table, 
and  few  scenes  on  this  side  of  eternity  could  compare,  says  the  nar- 
rator, with  that  for  interest.  I  believe  there  are  no  clergymen  who 
are  seeking  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  could  read  the  ac- 
count given  of  the  Confirmation  Service  in  this  memoir,  without  be- 
ing convinced  that  Dr.  Bedell  was  a  bright  and  edifying  example  in 
his  manner  of  conducting  it,  and  without  a  deepening  of  their  inte- 
rest, and  a  quickening  of  their  zeal  in  relation  to  that  service,  and  an 
enlarging  of  their  expectations  of  usefulness  through  it.  As  he  re- 
spected the  sacrament  of  Baptism,  by  requiring  those  who  had  been 
dedicated  to  God  in  infancy,  to  recognize  that  dedication,  so  did  he 
with  equal  vigilance  and  love  enforce  upon  the  attention  of  his  flock 
the  merciful  design  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  questions  for  self- 
examination  given  to  each  applicant  for  admission  to  the  Lord's 
table,  will,  I  think,  commend  themselves  to  the  consciences  of  minis- 
ters in  England,  and  perhaps  in  substance  may  be  adopted  by  many. 

"  In  the  discipline  which  this  faithful  minister  used  with  respect  to 
the  communion,  we  see  enough  done  to  secure  under  God's  most 
merciful  help,  a  communion  of  saints,  and  nothing  done  that  minis- 
ters of  the  Church  here  might  not  also  do  if  they  had  his  love  for 
souls  and  his  piety.  The  increase  in  the  number  of  communicants 
was,  upon  an  average,  forty  a  year,  during  the  ten  years  he  laboured 
in  Philadelphia,  and  he  did  not  know,  during  that  time,  of  more  than 


REV.    DR.    BEDELL.  401 

six  cases  of  actual  return  to  the  world  amongst  them,  which  must  be 
attributable  to  the  spirit  of  prayer  which  he  so  constantly  encouraged 
in  his  people. 

"  The  season  of  Lent  was  observed  by  Dr.  Bedell's  congregation, 
by  a  daily  meeting  for  prayer,  usually  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  by  setting  apart  one  day  in  every  week,  for  fasting  and  prayer,  as 
a  suitable  preparation  for  the  deep  contemplation  of  the  crucifixion  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  our  sins  ;  and  it  was  remarkable  that  those  seasons  of 
refreshing,  through  which  numbers  were  converted  to  God,  usually  fol- 
lowed after  this  season  of  humiliation. 

"  The  Church  services,  the  sacraments,  the  worship  of  the  house  of 
God,  these  were  the  things  that  he  desired  his  people  should  prize. 
He  strove  to  teach  them  not  to  depend  on  himself,  but  on  God  ;  and 
the  letter  he  wrote  on  this  subject,  when  a  substitute  was  about  to  oc- 
cupy his  place,  may  be  instructive  to  us,  as  showing  us  that  in  attend- 
ance upon  the  house  of  God,  we  are  to  depend  upon  his  blessing,  and 
not  upon  the  talents  of  the  minister  who  addresses  us  ;  and  that  any 
minister  of  God  will  be  a  minister  of  good  to  us  if  we  look  for  God's 
blessing  to  our  souls  through  his  ministrations. 

"  Although  the  ministerial  life  of  Dr.  Bedell  is  that  which  is  chiefly 
presented  to  us  in  this  Memoir,  when  the  hour  arrived  that  his  pub- 
lic work  was  done,  the  dying  Christian  is  presented  to  our  view,  and 
his  heart  laid  open  to  our  inspection.  Then  all  is  instructive  still, 
edifying  and  solemn  to  the  greatest  degree,  and  we  see  him  glorying 
only  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  overcoming  the  last  enemy  through 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb  and  the  word  of  his  testimony.  The  intro- 
duction we  have  in  these  scenes  to  his  wife,  shows  what  a  blessing 
God  had  granted  him  through  life  in  her  fellowship,  and  the  narra- 
tive she  gives  of  his  last  hours  completes  the  interest  of  this  Memoir, 
the  publication  of  which  may,  I  trust,  be  very  beneficial  to  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  I  hope  it  may  be  so,  both  to  Dissenters  from  us,  and  to 
ourselves. 

"  At  this  critical  hour  the  clergy  of  the  United  Kingdom  have  need 
of  every  help  to  lead  them  to  that  devotedness  to  God  which  is  sure 
to  secure  his  protection.  The  chastisements  of  God  with  which  they 
have  been  in  some  places  visited,  and  in  all  places  threatened,  are 
rather  tokens  of  his  mercy  than  of  his  intention  to  destroy  us  at  the 
moment  when  we  are  striving  to  serve  him  in  simplicity  and  in  love, 
and  associating  to  pray  for  an  outpouring  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  we 


402  MEMOIROFREV.    DR.    BEDELL. 

may  be  enabled  to  do  so  according  to  his  word.  If  such  a  religion  as 
that  of  the  true  churchman,  whose  life  is  here  related,  were  generally 
sought  after  by  us  in  sincerity,  in  penitence,  and  in  prayer,  it 
would  certainly  be  attained  from  the  God  of  all  grace,  and  the  dan- 
ger of  the  Church  would  be  overpassed.  And  because  this  Memoir 
exhibits  a  religion  so  sober,  yet  so  fervent — so  humble,  and  yet  so  ef- 
fective and  so  entirely  free  from  any  thing  that  can  reasonably  offend, 
I  think  it  may  be  put  by  any  clergyman  into  the  hands  of  a  brother 
in  the  ministry,  as  a  book  both  safe  and  powerful,  and  calculated  to 
assist  in  the  duty  we  owe  to  each  other  to  strengthen  each  other's 
hands  for  the  Lord's  work. 

"  Having  had  the  opportunity  of  reading  the  following  work  before 
its  publication,  I  recommend  it  earnestly  to  the  public,  and  pray  that 
he,  who  being  dead,  still  speaks  in  it,  may  still  be,  through  it,  a  bless- 
ing to  mankind,  and  help  us,  through  evil  report  or  good  report,  to 
live  for  the  Lord,  and  to  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ. 

"  Thomas  Sxow. 
"St.  Dmistan's,  Avg.  12,  1835." 


THE     END. 


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